I'm a Committed Capitalist, Yet Medicare for All Is the Top Solution for American Health System

Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making average wages must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like many federal defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government 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, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ 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.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with 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 tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.