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Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

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

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I can name multiple clients who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.