I'm a Dedicated Free-Market Advocate, But Medicare for All Is the Best Hope for US Health System

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage 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 program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many our government's defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.