As a Hardcore Capitalist, Yet Universal Medicare Represents the Top Solution for US Healthcare

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that major reforms need to happen.