🔗 Share this article As a Hardcore Capitalist, But Medicare for All Is the Top Hope for American Healthcare Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits. Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare. The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive Based on a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025. Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans. When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare? When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable. I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust. How National Health Insurance Would Work A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent. Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I know dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows. Execution for America In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office. Advantages for Entrepreneurs A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators). It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating 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 the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans. Capitalist Perspective I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity. Addressing Concerns Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone. Need for Realistic Evaluation We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.