🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare that with what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances is that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.