I'm a Hardcore Free-Market Advocate, Yet Universal Medicare Represents the Top Hope for American Healthcare

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

According to a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.