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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

Based on recent research, the average family spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

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

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like much of federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.