As a Hardcore Free-Market Advocate, Yet Universal Medicare Represents the Optimal Hope for US Healthcare

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It's Costly

According to recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees 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? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.