America has the most advanced medical technology in the world and at the same time we also have the most expensive healthcare system. Too many families delay care because of cost, and too many small businesses struggle to afford insurance for their employees.
The problem isn’t that America lacks doctors, hospitals, or innovation.
The problem is that we wait until people are sick before we provide care.
That approach is both cruel and incredibly expensive.
That’s why I’m proposing CitizenCare CORE — a universal foundation of preventive healthcare that ensures every American has access to essential care from birth to age 65. CitizenCare CORE focuses on keeping people healthy, not just treating illness.
And by doing that, it will lower healthcare costs for families, businesses, and taxpayers.
The results are predictable:
• Higher insurance premiums
• Higher emergency room use
• Higher hospital costs
• Lower productivity for businesses
In other words: Preventable illness is one of the largest hidden costs in the American economy.
CitizenCare CORE flips the system around.
Instead of paying primarily for late-stage illness, we guarantee access to preventive care for everyone.
CitizenCare CORE guarantees access to essential preventive care services that keep Americans healthy and catch problems early.
The goal is simple:
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
CitizenCare CORE does not replace the private healthcare system.
Americans would still have private insurance for:
CitizenCare CORE provides the universal foundation of health, while private insurance continues to offer expanded coverage options.
Think of it as the healthcare equivalent of public education — a strong baseline available to everyone.
Today, insurance plans must cover routine care like:
• Physicals
• Vaccines
• Preventive screenings
• Basic diagnostics
These predictable costs drive premiums higher.
With CitizenCare CORE handling preventive care, private insurance shifts toward catastrophic and specialized coverage, which dramatically lowers costs.
• $1,200 – $2,000 per year in lower premiums
• Lower out-of-pocket preventive care costs
Small businesses face some of the highest insurance premiums in America, and many small employers simply cannot afford to provide coverage.
CitizenCare CORE dramatically lowers that burden.
• $14,250 per year in lower premiums could go toward:
For many small businesses, this would be the difference between offering healthcare or not offering it at all.
Preventive healthcare doesn’t just reduce medical bills—it strengthens the entire economy.
CitizenCare CORE is designed to work alongside Mark's broader tax reform proposal:
This approach allows us to expand healthcare access while lowering overall economic friction.
Healthcare should not depend on where you were born, how much money your parents made, or whether your employer offers good insurance.
CitizenCare CORE guarantees that every American receives the basic preventive care necessary to live a healthy life.
It strengthens families.
It lowers business costs.
It prevents illness before it becomes crisis.
And it builds a healthier, more productive country.
Because when Americans are healthy, America prospers.
“I believe every American deserves a healthy start in life and the peace of mind that comes with basic preventive care. CitizenCare CORE is about keeping people healthy, supporting our small businesses, and building a healthcare system that works for everyone.”
- Mark Scheffler