I'm a Committed Free-Market Advocate, But Medicare for All Represents the Best Hope for American Healthcare

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

According to recent research, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare it to what average US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When you add 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

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. 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 our government's defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications 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 different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.

Jeffrey Nguyen
Jeffrey Nguyen

A tech enthusiast and business strategist sharing insights on digital transformation and emerging trends.