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Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know dozens of businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.