As a Dedicated Capitalist, But Universal Medicare Is the Top Hope for American Health System

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly

According to recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider 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 advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced 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 the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to 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.