I'm a Committed Free-Market Advocate, Yet Medicare for All Represents the Best Hope for US Health System

Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

Based on recent research, the average family pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare that with what average US resident spends. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like many federal defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.