If the individual mandate is unconstitutional

[el_bryanto]

1. I would say they are fairly different

The Mandate requires people to get healthcare from some source - this is seen as necessary if you are going to mandate healthcare companies to accept people regardless of pre-existing conditions (the argument is that people will wait till they have cancer, then go to the health insurance industry).

Social Security and Medicare are benefits; they don't require you to do anything (other than fill out forms, cash checks, and, of course, pay your taxes).

Bryant