🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

According to recent research, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.