As a Committed Capitalist, But Universal Medicare Represents the Top Solution for American Health System

Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

According to recent research, typical households pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because political disagreements over tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.