I'm a Committed Capitalist, Yet Medicare for All Is the Best Hope for American Health System
Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.
Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.
The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly
Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.
Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.
When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?
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 can't continue.
I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.
The Way Universal Coverage Would Work
Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.
Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.
Execution for America
For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.
Benefits for Small Businesses
A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).
It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.
Free-Market Viewpoint
I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.
Addressing Concerns
Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.
Need for Honest Assessment
As Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.