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Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Costly

According to a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate 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 system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what average US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like much of our government's military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.