Single-payer system would cut health care costs

The average cost of health care for a family of four that is insured by the most common employer offered health insurance is $28,166, according to the Milliman Medical Index for the year of 2018. The premiums alone account for $19,481.

Employer-provided health insurance has eaten up any increase in wages as companies try to keep up with rising health care costs. Employees also won't leave their jobs in fear of losing their health coverage. A single-payer system lets people not worry about health insurance when looking for a new job.

My girlfriend's father just recently lost his job, and several members of her family have preexisting conditions. With the loss of his job, his employer is no longer providing health insurance for them, placing the burden of their health care entirely on them. While they have signed up for health insurance through COBRA, the entire cost of their premium is being paid for by them, tripling their health insurance premium.

By switching to a single-payer system, they would decrease their costs by eliminating copays, deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses, while reducing their premiums by pooling everyone in America together. Although he is not the only one supporting universal health care, Bernie Sanders is the one who has made it popular.

Jared Harnen

St. Charles