🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

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

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would remain a better and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.