As a Dedicated Capitalist, Yet Medicare for All Is the Top Solution for US Health System

Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

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

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical American pays. I know dozens of businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system 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 employer contribution. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.