Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.
Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.
Based on a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.
Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.
When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.
I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.
Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.
Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I know dozens of clients who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.
In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.
Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).
It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.
I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.
Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.
As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.
