As a Hardcore Capitalist, But Universal Medicare Is the Optimal Hope for American Health System

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly

According to recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like many federal defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with 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 have access to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all 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 enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation is that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.