How could a universal healthcare debate shift Medicare's structure in the next decade?

Question

Daniel Maisel · Accepted Answer

Despite the stories hard in the US, Universal Healthcare has not been an effective solution in any of the countries that use it. 

The continuously skyrocketing rise in costs are not stopped by that method. Politicians keep thinking they can mandate a solution that may sound good but is actually impractical.

An example is the Inflation Act & the Infrustructure Act that mandated healthcare changes, as did the Affordable Care Act that solved some problems, but priced to finding to do what was required.

That is why the countries with so-called Universal Healthcare have extreme waiting periods for serious procedures like hip replacement, and heart by-pass operations, etc; causing those that can afford to go to countries like the USA, India, etc; where they can pay to have the procedures done.

Bill Wheeler · Answer

A shift towards universal healthcare could lead to significant changes in Medicare's structure within the next decade, potentially impacting its role, benefits, and funding. If universal healthcare becomes a reality

Answered by Bill Wheeler on July 18, 2025

Broker Licensed in KY & IN

Answered by Bill Wheeler Medicare Insurance Agent

Edward Givens · Answer

Great question — and here's the simple breakdown from a seasoned Medicare agent’s point of view:

If the U.S. ever moved toward universal healthcare — meaning everyone gets health coverage from the government — it could majorly shift how Medicare works. Here’s how:

Medicare could expand to cover everyone — This is the “Medicare for All” idea. Instead of just covering people 65+ or those with disabilities, Medicare could become the national health insurance program for all Americans.

Private Medicare Advantage plans might shrink or go away — If the government runs everything, private insurers might play a smaller role. Or, they could shift to offering optional add-on coverage, kind of like how dental or vision works now.

Benefits could change — Depending on the model, we could see more services covered (like dental, vision, long-term care), or there could be stricter cost controls to make the system affordable for everyone.

Taxes might replace premiums — Instead of paying monthly Medicare premiums, people might see higher payroll or income taxes to fund the system — but with fewer out-of-pocket costs at the doctor or hospital.

Bottom line: If universal healthcare becomes reality, Medicare could grow into a much bigger program — but with big changes to how it’s funded, who it covers, and what it looks like. No one knows for sure yet, but as always, I’ll be here to help you adjust if and when it happens.

Steve Houchens · Answer

In all honesty I have no idea how or what could happen in the next decade. There are changes to the Medicare marketplace every year but I have no idea what could change over the next 10 years

Nancy Suozzi-Vidal · Answer

First we need to define universal. Are we debating within the US or worldwide?

In the US, we already have socialized medical programs, Medicare and Medicaid.  These specialized programs in the US do not exist/are not recognized in other countries. Personally, I do not think a world-wide healthcare system could support the increased aging population and access to qualified providers which can have extreme differences - even just different areas of the US - let alone across the globe. 

We often learn, for example, when provider organizations continue to grow, they get too large and our no longer able to service their population effectively. Eventually, these overgrown establishments need to decentralize and/or, more likely, down size.  Same with healthcare in general. 

The US healthcare system is very complex. I think a very important aspect of reducing cost is simplification.  My thought is that we have socialized medical programs that have existed for decades but have not been updated to our current healthcare needs. So we have been putting band-aids in place creating loads of exceptions. Instead of spending trillions of dollars trying to reinvent the wheel, how about spending less money to continually improve the programs we have? Simplifying , reducing fraud, waste, abuse allows for funding to be applied for what is was originally planned. This also reduces funding of duplicate programs that are still not accomplishing their original directive. 

It could well be possible, with the right minds involved, to create some sort of universal general healthcare coverage, with the hope of a simple, ease-to-understand option. 

Certainly Medicare which is currently in the US based on collection of FICA in most cases, would drastically change if looking at Universal. There has been talk within the USA to have Medicare for all. In the later case, still significant changes. Before we take on universal, I think we have a lot of work to provide much better healthcare here

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

A universal healthcare debate could significantly reshape Medicare in the next decade by potentially expanding its coverage to all Americans, thereby merging it with other health insurance programs like Medicaid, or by altering its structure to include a wider range of benefits and cost-sharing mechanisms. Alternatively, it could lead to the privatization of certain aspects of Medicare, with private insurers playing a larger role in providing supplemental coverage.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on July 29, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian Medicare Insurance Agent

Robert Simm · Answer

Unfortunately I don't think universal healthcare in the United States will ever happen United Healthcare is the fourth largest company in the United States. It would be better if we had a Medicare for All and that would include ages 19 through 65 Plus.

Answered by Robert Simm on April 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in NC, AL, AR & 15 other states

Answered by Robert Simm Medicare Insurance Agent

Wild Bill Anderson · Answer

No one can know the future so guessing is not going to help.  I can say that very recently the Administration increase funding to many Medicare plans.  This says a lot about future direction.

Douglas Carney · Answer

I see the universal healthcare debate as a catalyst for positive evolution in Medicare’s structure over the next decade. Proposals like Medicare for All could expand Medicare’s framework, potentially lowering the eligibility age or covering more services like dental and vision, making healthcare more accessible for all. This might streamline costs, reduce private insurance reliance, and enhance benefits for current enrollees, such as lower out-of-pocket caps or broader provider networks. While debates spark concerns about funding or wait times, innovations in care delivery and technology could offset challenges, creating a more inclusive, efficient Medicare system.

Answered by Douglas Carney on May 10, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, GA, NC, OK & TX

Answered by Douglas Carney Medicare Insurance Agent

Ron Gambles · Answer

The short answer is that it will impact at least three variables; cost, scope of coverage and types of coverage available. Where this actually lands is an open question with no certain answer until it is decided.

Answered by Ron Gambles on April 9, 2025

Agent Licensed in TN

Answered by Ron Gambles Medicare Insurance Agent

Louanne Allison · Answer

A debate that shakes out all the concerns so they may be addressed is a good thing. If Medicare for all happens, it will be a big adjustment to the under 65 crowd. If they change Medicare to something else, it will be very disruptive to the over 65 Medicare beneficiaries. Any change should be done with "test" areas first, like a single county or state, so the bugs can be worked out.

Answered by Louanne Allison on April 28, 2025

Agent Licensed in MI, FL, IL & OH, TN, TX & UT

Answered by Louanne Allison Medicare Insurance Agent

Rene Apack · Answer

This question is over my head, and it has no bearing on today's volatile over-65 healthcare endured by our citizens.

I regularly see how people waste their hard-earned money by not shopping for their Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans. They sit in regret until the next enrollment period.

Best wishes,
Rene Apack
847-917-4870

Michael Claunch · Answer

That is a question that is impossible to answer. In my opinion, I think that it could raise Medicare premiums.

How could a universal healthcare debate shift Medicare's structure in the next decade?

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How could a universal healthcare debate shift Medicare's structure in the next decade?

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