I'm a Hardcore Capitalist, Yet Universal Medicare Is the Best Hope for US Healthcare

Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It's Expensive

Based on recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider 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 proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare it to what the typical American pays. I can name multiple clients who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.

Anthony Hernandez
Anthony Hernandez

A seasoned casino strategist with over a decade of experience in gaming analysis and player optimization techniques.