If you repeal the individual mandate, then how do you fix the free rider problem of individuals who choose not to carry insurance but still expect world class Medical Care when they are sick or injured?
I think we as a society have decided we are not going to withhold emergency medical care from someone regardless of their inability to pay. Furthermore, Reagan signed into law EMTALA which is an unfunded mandate on hospitals and doctors to provide emergency care regardless of ability to pay. How do we fix the problem of individuals being provided expensive Medical Care who have no way of paying for it since they choose not to purchase insurance until they become sick?
Congratulate them for CHOOSING to be Self Insured, and note that they have great flexibility in CHOOSING what specialists to approve and what procedures to allow and what contracts they negotiate. Note that they are allowed unlimited latitude in the use of their resources, including their Medical Savings Account, for their best interests.
It doesn't get any better than that.
“If you repeal the individual mandate, then how do you fix the free rider problem of individuals who choose not to carry insurance but still expect world class Medical Care when they are sick or injured?
“I think we as a society have decided we are not going to withhold emergency medical care from someone regardless of their inability to pay. Furthermore, Reagan signed into law EMTALA which is an unfunded mandate on hospitals and doctors to provide emergency care regardless of ability to pay. How do we fix the problem of individuals being provided expensive Medical Care who have no way of paying for it since they choose not to purchase insurance until they become sick?”
Excellent questions. Obviously the leftist plan is to make as many people dependent on government in as many areas of their lives as possible. When leftists take over government, you can count on at least one new freebie boondoggle. Frequently, even the Republicans do the same. (Vide the Reagan reference you made and G. W. Bush’s MediPill program.)
My solution, since I don’t have to worry about buying votes to get elected because I’m not running, it to say that all federal welfare programs would be phased out in two years, with the individual states free to continue them or not at their choice.
As to paying for free riders, the indigent, etc., it would make sense for those states who do want to be involved in medical programs to get out of direct funding of medical treatment altogether and to instead encourage individuals to donate to charity hospitals and clinics.
How do you fix the free rider problem of individuals who choose not to carry insurance but still expect world class Medical Care when they are sick or injured?
1. If your income is low, and it would be if you can’t work, there’s Medicaid.
2. If you have enough assets, divest them.
3. If you have gone through your assets, then bankruptcy. Then you qualify for #1.
Any problem with that?