As a Dedicated Free-Market Advocate, Yet Universal Medicare Is the Best Solution for American Health System

Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple clients 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, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When including those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.