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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I know multiple businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many federal military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables 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 rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.