🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.