The individuals Romney wants to punish aren't the free-riders.
True, for many, health insurance turns out to be a “bet” without a return, as with all insurance. People with income and savings who can pay for care, however, tend to want at least catastrophic coverage.
But for one reason or another, our society is unwilling withhold care from those who haven’t made the resources available to pay for it. Until then, there will be a transfer of income and resources from those who have to those who haven’t.
Agree or disagree, Romney’s is one approach to address the free-rider problem.