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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.