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

[habitsofmine]

ERs will still be clogged. Large numbers of non-citizens will still be using it as clinics. Additionally, there will now be a new desk so that non-insured citizens can now sign up for insurance. Pre-existing conditions don't matter anymore so you can sign up as you wait to be seen for broken arm. They will still have to pay for the insurance, but they had the money they saved by simply paying the fine instead of the cost of insurance, which in some cases may be 10% of pre-tax wages.

Due to budget cuts some small community hospitals may close. There's way funds are being given out is changing and some hospitals may not be able to keep up. Physicians may have to cut down on what they spend their money on. The Physician will be paid in a bundle for the outcome, instead of for each service performed. For example a doctor may not buy the up-to-date expensive sonogram machine because it won't change his bottom line. The rate medical technology advances may change.

If you have insurance now, please make sure you have a Primary Care Physician. Once this takes effect it will be hard to find one. People who haven't seen a doctor for years will now be able to have every ache, cough, or phantom pain looked at. True health problems will be looked at, but there will be a lot of overuse. Plus, some older Physician's may decide that they don't want to deal with the new rules and retire. Unfortunately, primary care physicians isn't 'where the money is at' right now so there's not a lot of replacements. The role of nurses and PAs will change to help care for the increased population.

(Sorry for babbling, yesterday I had a lecture on- Health Reform~How this could potentially Impact Physician Practices)

[habitsofmine]

To clarify-Listened to lecture, didn't give it~ thankfully.