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]

Actually, no, everyone has the potential to have a pony -- but they won't always get one. When I lived in Iceland I heard lots of complaining about the local nationalized health care system -- people who couldn't get in to have their necessary surgeries for months and months because they just weren't important enough, or whatever the reason happened to be at the time.

[ex_peasant441]

Well it's more that you get a pony but it is a pretty mangy underfed one compared to what you've been used to if you've had private insurance to date. That or everyone has to pay a hell of a lot more in stable fees.