As a Hardcore Capitalist, But Medicare for All Represents the Optimal Hope for American Health System
Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.
Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.
Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive
Based on a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.
Now federal operations has ceased functioning because political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.
When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?
When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.
I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.
How Universal Coverage Would Work
Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.
Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple businesses who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.
Execution in the US
For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.
Benefits for Entrepreneurs
Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).
It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist 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. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.
Addressing Concerns
Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.
Time for Honest Assessment
We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.