Mandatory health insurance?

[pauamma]

so it looks (from what I saw) that the final (signed into law) health bill makes health insurance mandatory. I'm curious: setting aside the "why would anyone in their right mind *not* want health insurance" justification or justification attempt, what are the reasons invoked to make it mandatory? If someone wanted to opt out for some reason (if only because it's mandatory, benefits notwithstanding), what would be their options, and would you consider that wish reasonable?

ETA: should probably get "health insurance" and or "it's for your own good" topic tags, but I can't create new tags.

Comments

[zorkian]

What is the "it's for your own good" tag? I can add it if you tell me what kind of things will go in that category. I might fudge the name a little, but it sounds like the kind of category we should have but I want to make sure I have the right idea of what you're saying.

[pauamma]

I was thinking of it for anything that someone might want to justify to detractors by saying "you need it, whether you know that or not, whether you want it or not - I know better" (implied: now shut up and take your castor oil/cod liver oil/whatever). IOW, arguments that might be acceptable from parents to young children, but certainly isn't to adults.

(Note: this tag may be for discussion/mention of supporting arguments along those lines, not - or not necessarily - for the substantive issues these arguments are connected to. Am I making any sense?)

[zorkian]

I think I see what you're saying, but I'm trying to figure out a way to phrase that that invokes it pretty quickly when someone reads it, hrm...

[cheyinka]

I'm partial to the idea of "shut up and take your castor oil", actually...

[zorkian]

Alright, we'll try that!