As a Committed Capitalist, Yet Universal Medicare Is the Optimal Hope for US Healthcare

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly

According to a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I know dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When including those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting 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 the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning 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 remain a better and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.