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

Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like much of federal military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.