🔗 Share this article As a Dedicated Free-Market Advocate, But Medicare for All Is the Optimal Solution for American Health System Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. 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? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance. The Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly Based on a recent study, the average family 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 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025. Now the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens. When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance? When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable. I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt. How National Health Insurance Could Function A national health insurance program would require payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent. Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare that with what average US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows. Execution in the US For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of federal defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office. Benefits for Small Businesses A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators). It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for risk assessment and different options. Capitalist Perspective I'm as pro-market as possible. 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 strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach 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 enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity. Considering Challenges Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens. Time for Honest Assessment We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.