As a Dedicated Free-Market Advocate, But Medicare for All Represents the Top Hope for US Health System
Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.
Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.
The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive
Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.
Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.
When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?
When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.
I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.
How National Health Insurance Would Work
Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.
Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.
Implementation for America
For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.
Benefits for Small Businesses
A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).
It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.
Free-Market Viewpoint
I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.
Considering Challenges
Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.
Need for Realistic Evaluation
As Americans, must tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.