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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

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

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half 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 numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.