🔗 Share this article I'm a Dedicated Capitalist, But Medicare for All Is the Best Solution for US Healthcare Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits. Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance. The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive According to a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025. Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens. When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare? When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer 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. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust. The Way National Health Insurance Would Work Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent. Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know dozens of businesses that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases. Implementation in the US For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies. Benefits for Small Businesses Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers). It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans. Free-Market Viewpoint I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, 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 in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone. Time for Honest Assessment We as Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.