How can Mass. require residents to have health insurance?

Question

I can't believe they passed that law. Think about it: there is nothing we are FORCED to pay money for to live here. That is why we are called a free nation.

(I know these are necessary for a normal life but think a minute)

- cars are choice, u could actually walk if u had to
- u could grow ur own food or go to food banks
- u don't have to pay taxes if u don't work or buy anything
- u dont pay car ins if u dont own a car
- u dont have to pay property tax if u dont own any property

I know that stuff is extreme but open your mind a minute and think. I mean at least you DO HAVE A CHOICE... bad one but A CHOICE.

How can Mass. get away with requiring its residence to pay health insurance? What will they do.. force them to move out of the state? Take their property if they don't get it?

Answer 1

This is another small step we Americans loose to socialism by letting the lobbyist (insurance companies ,etc.) legalize there scams in paying off politicians. Mass. people wake up, get involved write the libs in office complain let them know you care and you won't pay! This is another bad law that if left unchallenged will spread to the other 49 states.

Answer 2

The main issue is that people are getting sick, they don't have health insurance, go to the ER, since they doctor won't see them. ( so it costs more at the ER) Then they don't pay the ER since they don't have any money. Alot of hospitals are going broke, and more and more tax dollars are being spent to pay for medical care of those with no insurance.

alot of people make choises and don't place medical care at the top of any list, but it needs to be. I pay well over 1000 dollars a month for the health insurnace for my family. And I don't think it is right I should have to pay higher taxes because others choice not to have health insurnace.

you are required to have car insurance if you want to drive, you do pay property taxes even if you rent, because a part of your rent goes to pay that bill.

OF course they could do away with private insurnace and do government care, but everyones income, sales tax or some tax would be increased by 20 percent or so.

And think of it this way, Mass is about the most liberal state in the US, and if they will pass this, what may other states do.

Answer 3

Before you go corking off at how liberal a state that MA is, keep in mind that the governor, Mitt Romney, is a stauch Republican and the plan was HIS idea. He managed to get it through a strongly Democratic bi-cameral state legislature and keep costs fairly reasonable. They just might be onto something up there.

The cost for those living below the poverty level will be negligible. Those who earn above the poverty level will face sliding scale costs tied to their ability to pay. Waivers will be available for those who cannot find an affordable policy.

MA already taxes employers $295.00 per year for each worker not covered by an employer-sponsored plan and this money goes towards indigent care.

By controlling the costs at the state level, and broadening the pool of insured residents instead of allowing insurance companies to "cherry pick" the best potential customers it may be possible to provide adequate healthcare FOR all citizens at a price that is affordable BY all citizens.

It's pretty obvious that the current system is badly broken. If you're highly paid and work for a big company, you're pretty well taken care of. Ditto if you're nearly destitute as Medicaid steps in and takes care of you. But if you are working at the low end of the wage scale, you're basically screwed as you earn too much for Medicaid but can't get a job that has healthcare benefits.

If this plan truly works, Governor Romney may be on to something. And something like that would go a long way to revitalizing my faith in the Republican party, something that has been sorely lacking the past 10 years or so...

Answer 4

Yes, essentially that's what the state would do.

The state has broad authority to regulate for matters concerning health, safety and welfare. Any such laws are very very difficult to challenge, as long as the state can make any rational argument that the law serves any legitimate interest.

I remember reading about the law, but I haven't read the actual text of it. From what I recall, anyone not complying will be charged a fee, essentially a tax. And the state has the authority to levy taxes on its residents. And to punish those who don't pay.

I completely agree that it's way out of line. That attitude is one of the reasons I moved away from Mass over a decade ago, and pretty much guarantees that I'd never be a Mass resident again.
But, until the law is changed, it's the law.

Answer 5

I don't live in the States, but I'm sure you only pay health insurance if you have a job. It would be deducted at source. In Canada, we have a provincial plan, and we have to contribute to it. In the U.K. they have the National Health Servoce and they have to contribute to it. This is what makes a society fair for most people. It's another form of taxation (I know) but health care is a necessity for all. If you don't have a job, you can still get treatment.

Healthcare is NOT free in Canada. Taxes are collected to pay for it.

Answer 6

As taxpayers we are already paying for the health costs of the uninsured. This makes more parity.

And sure, you could live "off the grid" and grow your own food or go to food banks (paid for by taxes); and walk everywhere (on roads maintained by taxes); and never buy anything (although I don't know how you'd do that).

Answer 7

Hey, ya gotta have car insurance, and health is more important. I'm hoping the government will pass a law requiring me to have a really nice car and several plasma TVs.

Answer 8

Massachusetts is a very liberal state. This is putting them one step closer to their communist utopia.

I will make a prediction right now that this will not work. And Bush will be blamed somehow, and forced to clean it up. That's the usual order of things.

Answer 9

how can the USA make people pay for health care?
its free in canada u dont get ****** over like that

Answer 10

I agree it's really stupid, but they are the government and can pretty much do what they want in this department as long as they are not violating any Constitutional rights. Sad, but true.