🔗 Share this article As a Committed Free-Market Advocate, But Universal Medicare Is the Top Hope for US Healthcare Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies. Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance. Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It's Costly Based on recent research, the average family 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 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025. Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens. When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare? How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable. I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust. How National Health Insurance Could Function Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about 13.75%. Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases. Implementation for America For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies. Benefits for Small Businesses Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers). It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options. Free-Market Viewpoint I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive. Addressing Concerns Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand 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 more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone. Time for Honest Assessment As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.