In case no one bothered to listen to the context of the discussion it was not about the mandate to be forced to buy insurance. It was about that small area in Obamacare that says insurance companies must accept those with pre existing conditions. Whether you agree about pre existing conditions or not, at least keep the issue clear.
The requirement that insurance companies accept those with pre-existing conditions is not a "small area in Obamacare" - it is a HUGE cost, and was the very reason for the individual mandate. Repealing If you were to repeal the individual mandate, but not the pre-existing condition requirement, you would destroy the insurance market.
It's why Obamacare must be repealed in full, not piece-by-piece. It's a disastrous house of cards - try to tinker with just one piece, and it will bring down the whole thing.