As a Committed Capitalist, But Medicare for All Represents the Best Solution for American Healthcare

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.