As a Hardcore Free-Market Advocate, But Medicare for All Is the Best Solution for American Health System
Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.
Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.
Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly
Based on recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (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 compared to 2025.
Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.
When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?
When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.
I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.
How National Health Insurance Could Function
A national health insurance program would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays about 13.75%.
Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.
Implementation in the US
In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like much of federal military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.
Benefits for Small Businesses
Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).
It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.
Capitalist Perspective
I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.
Considering Challenges
Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.
Need for Realistic Evaluation
We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.