[eleni121]

The problem is that the uninsured do cost everybody in the form of increases in our premiums.

As it stands, those who could afford to purchase health insurance pay their own way when they get sick...or use catastrophic health insurance. Those who cannot afford to buy health insurance - and I cannot imagine why - there are many plans out there and most states offer subsidized health insurance paid for by the taxpayer - are breaking the bank...everyone's.

The worst thing to do is to expect the employer to pay again for this subsidy.

[Calpernia]

>>>The problem is that the uninsured do cost everybody in the form of increases in our premiums.

Really? I don't own health insurance. We have a personal medical account.

Not owning health insurance doesn't not instantly equal deadbeat. There are other options besides insurance.

[Eagle of Liberty]

The problem is that the uninsured do cost everybody in the form of increases in our premiums.

You may want to revise that to be the poor uninsured that the Hospitals file claims for. There are many uninsured that have decided to pay their own way.

[maryz]

or use catastrophic health insurance.

I'm not sure you can buy just catastrophic health ins in MA -- what with all the mandated benefits, mental health care, in vitro fertilization, abortion (of course!), etc., etc. (Those are the ones I remember off the top of my head -- breaking from work -- I know there's many more.)

[Old Professer]

"The problem is that the uninsured do cost everybody in the form of increases in our premiums."

All insurance schemes are Ponzi scams made legal; not one person insured who lives a full life will pay in more than is spent out before his death unless he dies where no busybody or concerned relative dumps him on the system we've created. Inflation guarantees this and a plan such as this one to make the covered group inclusive only adds to the inflation.