🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many federal defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.