If they had to pay it this year they might decide to stop voting for Democrats too soon for it all to be irreversible.
“Lucky thing they won’t have to pay the penalty until next year.”
They do have to pay the penalty this year. The House just passed a bill today to put this penalty off for a year for individuals (and their family) who don’t work for a company. If the senate passes the bill, Obama says he will veto it, so it won’t become law.
You may be thinking of company plans that Obama put off for a year. Those who don’t work for companies don’t get that extra year.