California May Require Everyone to Have Health Insurance

North County Times ^ | Feb. 8, 2005 | Gig Conaughton

[microgood]

Makes you wonder who is going to destroy California first, God or the Democrats? Since compliance with auto insurance laws is about 60% (it went from 50% to 60% in Washington when they mandated it, then it trickled back down a bit), you would need a huge government infrastructure trying to enforce compliance. Someone has to pay for that and I know who it would be.

[MedNole]

I thoroughly understand the med mal problems, and its HUGE impact on health care costs. However, I think that the uninsured receiving free health care is just as big of a problem.

[Protagoras]

I love this idea. It prevents people with insurance from having to pay for the treatment of those without insurance. Whether you like it or not, you are paying for it when people without insurance and can't pay their medical bills get treated in ERs and hospitals.

You are on the wrong website.

How would this work?

[texastoo]

Track them for what?

[Protagoras]

What is the punishment for not having insurance under this law?

What to do with people who have no money is a question as well. The whole thing is preposterous.

[staytrue]

My opinion is people with chronic illnesses who can not pay and have no insurance, probably should be untreated.

It is just too expensive.

ER bills for acute problems, are not a major budget busting expense.

[Carry_Okie]

I never suggested that the state subsidize these really, really inexpensive policies. Please, show me where I even implied this.

Since when is the legislature going to pay any heed to what you suggest? We're talking political reality here, not ideals.

[elbucko]

If you live in a high crime area, your car insurance is higher because your car is more likely to be stolen (not your fault).

The above example is evidence of my theory that it is crime that causes poverty and not that poverty is the actual cause of crime.

[From many - one.]

The majority of which is the health insurance.

[Protagoras]

I'm saying it's better than Hillarycare-that's it. It wasn't an endorsement.

The clap is better than herpes too.

[television is just wrong]

It would depend, who is going to pay for this???

Probably taxpayers, and property owners will pay dearly.

[Protagoras]

The above example is evidence of my theory that it is crime that causes poverty and not that poverty is the actual cause of crime.

Crime is caused by criminals.

[Redcloak]

Maybe it was like that season on Dallas; maybe I dreamed the whole thing. Didn't we just reject a stupid plan like this during the last election? I coulda sworn that I voted NO on a proposition to do just this very thing.

[SweetCaroline]

Those same studies showed that 55 percent of those who are uninsured are young ---- between the ages of 18 and 34.

....gee, they forgot to include illegals???????I'm sure it was just a typo!

[television is just wrong]

Yes, and at taxpayers expense probably too.

[DannyTN]

I like the idea too.

This also eliminates the disparity between rates for those with insurance and those without, since everyone will be with. The structure of 60%-70% off of normal rates will dissappear.

But I think they should combine it with the idea of HSA's. And then allow the deductibles on the insurance to rise to truly catastrophic levels as and only as the balance of the HSA rises.

[staytrue]

Insurance may be socialism, but it is private property, voluntary, socialism. It is a free society answer to a communal need without the heavy hand of government.

I agree with this 100%. But mandatory insurance is not the same as voluntary insurance.

[television is just wrong]

Oh, yes we would have to pay for it. Tax rates are soaring.

[MedNole]

Who pays for the health care of the uninsured now? You do.
These indemnity policies don't cover doctor visits, drugs, or lab costs. They would only cover catastrophic expenses, and there would be at least a $5,000 deductible.

[elbucko]

BINGO!

Yes, unfortunately, it is the insurance companies and the politicians that win the game. The public is on the hook for the prizes and the coffee and donuts.