🔗 Share this article I'm a Hardcore Capitalist, But Universal Medicare Is the Top Solution for US Health System Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies. Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance. The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive According to recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025. Now federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans. When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare? How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue. I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they will adjust. How National Health Insurance Would Work Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent. Does this appear like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When including those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases. Execution for America For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies. Benefits for Small Businesses A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators). It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans. Free-Market Viewpoint I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity. Considering Challenges Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens. Need for Honest Assessment We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.