I'm a Dedicated Free-Market Advocate, Yet Universal Medicare Is the Top Hope for US Healthcare

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, 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 expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare that with what average US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, 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 major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.