The piecemeal approach isn’t working.
28 million Americans did not have healthcare coverage in 2025. Studies have shown that they face a significantly higher risk of serious illness and death.
Of course even if you have coverage, that doesn’t mean you’re completely protected: healthcare costs continue to be the leading cause of personal bankruptcy.
It’s not ok. It’s not right. And not only does it harm patients and families, it’s incredibly, unsustainably expensive. The average family healthcare coverage policy purchased through an employer is now nearly $27,000 per year.
We need common-sense solutions.
The concept of universal coverage has been so politicized that it seems like a pipe dream, but here are three ways we can make it real:
01
Income-based subsidies
Simply put, if you make less money, you get more subsidies. Grandparents would get free Medicaid, Warren Buffett would get no subsidies, and everyone in between would pay a reasonable percentage of their income (up to a maximum percentage cap).
02
Default coverage
If you don’t choose a plan, you get auto-enrolled in one you can afford, based on your income.
03
Opt-out, not mandate
You can decline coverage, but you’ll have to pay a fine if you sign up for coverage later. This is how Medicare enrollment works now and it’s extremely effective.
It’s a win-win. As more people are covered, the whole population gets healthier, and healthcare costs - including premiums, tests, visits, etc. - all go down over time.
The path ahead will be bumpy.
Currently everyone in Medicare gets their healthcare coverage subsidized, even if they’re a billionaire. We’re proposing to reduce those subsidies for some and eliminate them for others, as part of ensuring those with lower incomes can actually afford healthcare coverage. Historically, any proposed “reduction” of Medicare benefits has met stiff resistance. However, subsidizing healthcare costs for the rich is a luxury we simply cannot afford.
It’s long past time to create a path for everyone to have access to healthcare that is both affordable and, well, worthy.
Read about Worthy.
More info.
We have a lot more charts, graphs, data and personal stories to share.
If you’d like to hear Paul Markovich speak through these issues, listen to our podcast.
This problem isn’t just on our minds. To get more context, read these articles.