As a Hardcore Free-Market Advocate, But Universal Medicare Is the Best Hope for American Healthcare

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

According to recent research, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know dozens of businesses that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase 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. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances is that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.