🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

According to recent research, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

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

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many federal defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.