Posted on 04/11/2007 9:43:06 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO — People who refuse to obtain health insurance could be tracked down by the state or a private contractor, enrolled in a plan and fined until they pay their premiums under one proposal Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration is considering as part of his vision for covering all Californians.
The proposal, which administration aides said was one of many the governor was considering, was presented at a meeting Tuesday with representatives from insurers, hospitals, doctors, business groups and consumer advocates.
It drew immediate criticism from critics of the central tenet of Schwarzenegger's healthcare approach, which is to require all Californians to obtain insurance.
Although the governor's office has been emphasizing the efforts it would make to help people find insurance voluntarily — including subsidies to the poor and outreach through schools, state agencies and healthcare providers — the outlines of the enforcement proposal inflamed some of those the administration has been courting for support.
Beth Capell, a lobbyist for the Service Employees International Union's California organization, said the fines might be unfairly levied on people caught without health insurance because of circumstances beyond their control. Those included people in between jobs and those starting employment in companies that did not provide healthcare for the first months of work.
"We're going to punish them if they don't go out and buy health insurance on their own — health insurance that they can't afford at the moment that they are least able to afford it," Capell said.
Other proposals, which Schwarzenegger included in the first draft of his healthcare plan, are to attach the wages of people who don't buy insurance and to increase the amount they owe in state income taxes.
Kim Belshé, secretary of the state Health and Human Services Agency, emphasized that "nothing is set in stone." ...
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
“People who refuse to obtain health insurance could be tracked down by the state or a private contractor, enrolled in a plan and fined until they pay their premiums under one proposal Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s”
How every Nazi of him.
This is what happens when politicians, who support government subsidized health care, finally understand the concept of anti-selection.
Requiring enrollment yeah that will drive health care costs down...../sarcasm definitely on
Some lower middle class folks just can’t afford health insurance.
I have friends that live in California. They all tell me that there is a huge problem with illegals not having auto liability insurance, as required by law. Many times an illegal will hit and run to avoid apprehension. Apparently a huge percentage of accidents are caused by illegals. For that reason, it is necessary to carry a high level of uninsured motorist coverage.
I imagine that illegals will do nothing to acquire mandatory health insurance. They will continue to feed off the public dole of our emergency rooms.
Funny this story doesn’t mention illegal aliens, who are the primary reason California’s health care systems are in crisis — the true elephant in the room that everyone is ignoring. Are they going to track them all down and fine them until they get insurance? If they can do that, why can’t they track them all down and deport them, saving Californians billions in health care expenditures?
Yep...that’s part of the problem. Before they can require everyone to get health insurance, they need to drive down the cost of insurance and control the law suits. Besides, are they going to require that all Mexicans have insurance before coming into the country?
If you work for the state you get “free” health care. If you are poor or a illegal you get “free” health care. The private sector which pays taxes and works hard does not get free health care so the state will force them to pay money to subsidize all the free care everyone else gets.
The state is the enemy of the people.
Can anyone address the Constitutionality of coercing people to enter into a contract against their will?
Yep, I’m sure all those illegal aliens that already broke the law when they entered the country and are driving without licenses, insurance etc. are going to really be concerned about paying fines for not buying health insurance...
If your employer isn't paying for it, demand a raise...
I wonder if Arine has ever heard of a Recall election before.
“Some lower middle class folks just can’t afford health insurance.”
Ain’t that the truth!!!
Our Governor here in Maine wants to do the same thing. If I can’t afford $1200 a month now how am I supposed to be able to when it’s mandatory?
Health care costs and health insurance costs are insane. There’s got to be an answer!?
FMCDH(BITS)
What about people who can’t get insurance due to the dreaded “preexisting conditions”?
Ameriquest will cover you, of course!
I’m very interested in that question as well, albeit with a different matter on my plate..
I definitely cannot afford it..., but even if I could I would get turned down because I’m considered “high risk” and wouldn’t qualify for it anyway.
What does someone do in that situation???
We'll have to charge them double the regular fine
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