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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making average wages must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare it to what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.