As a Hardcore Capitalist, Yet Medicare for All Is the Optimal Hope for US Healthcare

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to 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 in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare it to what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding 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 lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to many federal military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be 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 they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.

Brittany Smith
Brittany Smith

Lena is a digital strategist passionate about emerging technologies and their impact on business growth.