🔗 Share this article As a Hardcore Free-Market Advocate, But Medicare for All Represents the Optimal Hope for American Health System Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits. Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance. The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive According to recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025. Now federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens. When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare? How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable. I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt. How National Health Insurance Would Work Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays about 13.75%. Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows. Implementation in the US For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office. Advantages for Small Businesses Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers). It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options. Free-Market Viewpoint I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone 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 for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive. Addressing Concerns Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone. Need for Honest Assessment We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.