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Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I know dozens of businesses who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

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 that can pay for better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.