I’ve been trying to find this car insurance vs health insurance article where the argument is they’re not the same. Anybody know?
That is easy. Operating a motor vehicle is a privilege. Breathing is a necessity.
No but I can tell you.
1. States may mandate car insurance. 10th Amendment issue reserved to the states and the people.
2. If you don’t like the law if your state does this, you can go to another state that doesn’t mandate it. You have nowhere to go if the fed govt mandates it.
3. You don’t have to own a car. Plenty of people take buses and other forms of public transportation.
4. Car insurance is to cover you for injuries and damage you cause to others. Health insurance is to cover injury and damage to yourself.
5. The government does not have a public option (ie govt plan) for car insurance and thus not only regulate but compete with other private car insurance companies, like it will be doing with healthcare insurance.
I’m not sure that every state requires car insurance, but regardless, the requirement is from the state, not the federal govt. That’s a key difference. Here the federal govt is compelling you to engage in a private commercial transaction. The constitution gives it no such power.
The state probably does have that power.
Also, driving a car is an option. Here the feds say everyone has to have health insurance.
The difference is with car insurance you’re insuring against you damaging others’ property or persons. There is no law requiring you to insure yourself. Only liability is required by law.
I read it last night. I will look for it. Bottom line car insurance to have the ability to drive on public roads and only liability required. It protects others from you. It is required by States which have “police” powers unlike the Feds.
Fed Health insurance mandate required because you are alive. It protects no one from you. It is required by Feds who do not have that enumerated ability. The big differnce is that Congress mandated it. The States might have more ability.