First off, there are many false assumptions out there about this "uninsured" number. Many are, as you state young and not concerned about the insurance. Working at a health insurance company, I know that many just go without insurance, about 85% of those without it chose not to pay for it themselves. There are many who do not carry it on themselves (for whatever reason, they may be between jobs or working at a small business that has chosen not to offer it to employees) but they are covered by their spouse's insurance. The fact that these people have coverage is often left out of that story. Furthermore, the majority of those who do not have it and chose not to buy it are more than able to cover their own normal routine bills. Consider, I get a cold and I go to see my doctor, the office visit costs me $40 to $50 (which is about statistically the norm through most of the U.S.) and I am given a script for an antibiotic. I go pick that up for another $25 to $35 and I'm good to go for most of the rest of the year. This is why people who chose not to buy health insurance at $3,000 plus a year make that choice.
Here poliscistudent's 2% 80% rule comes closer to reality. 5% of the population uses about 90% of the healthcare resources. Interestingly, if you're that sick and you don't have private insurance, the government probably already covers you.
So his solution is to have everyone pay for the health insurance of those who have voluntarily chosen not to buy it themselves?
First off, there are many false assumptions out there about this "uninsured" number.That's true -- I chose to have a very high deductible so I can have very low monthly premiums --- I would end up paying out of my own pocket for almost any kind of health care I or my family might end up using in one year --- although I'm insured. But since we're all quite healthy I've gotten by with that for years --- no doctors or health care costs at all --- and I can keep what I didn't pay out in premiums --- save it in a special account that would cover the high deductible if I ever need it --- otherwise I can keep the money.