[sheana]

The higher penalty is intended to get those who are on the fence to buy health insurance. For those wavering, it could make more sense to pay for insurance than to pay the penalty.

A $912 penalty a year would still be a heckuva lot cheaper than buying insurance for most people. For me that is just 1 1/2 mnths cost of my insurance. I would pay the $912 a year in penalties, pay my doctor cash for each visit, and if I got really sick go to an emergency room where they can’t turn me away anyway.
Of course they didn’t think of that did they?

[afortiori]

For those with limited assets, incurring the $912 penalty is probably worth the risk of catastrophic care, because it’s hard to get blood from a stone after the care is provided.

For those with income/assets, the $912 penalty would be on top of the medical bills one would have to pay for self-insuring in the event of catastrophe.

It’s the prospect of a penalty plus medical bills that should push people of some means toward group coverage of some kind.

[Lancey Howard]

Just do what the government says and there won’t be any problem.

[steve86]

if I got really sick go to an emergency room where they can’t turn me away anyway.

They can turn you away unless it is a medical emergency (strictly defined). They will do a triage and then may recommend a low-cost clinic if you can't afford the treatment. If you are a cash patient and sign the paperwork they will administer the treatment (unless you are already a deadbeat with that facility and it is not a medical emergency).

[chiefqc]

And all th while the elected thieves get theirs for free.