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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like much of federal defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.