I'm a Hardcore Free-Market Advocate, But Medicare for All Represents the Best Hope for American Healthcare

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what average US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, 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, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.