🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

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

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many federal defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be 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 management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.