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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare it to what average American pays. I know dozens of clients that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When you add those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like much of federal military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a better and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.