"We warned the president -- don't ever, ever agree with the Republicans,"

[Maven]

79. Butler's clearly stated intention was to fine people who failed to insure themselves

His proposal was to impose a financial penalty, i.e., a higher tax burden or fine, on those who did not obtain coverage.

In fact, the header to the pertinent section of his proposal reads:

"Element #1: Every resident of the U.S. must, by law, be enrolled in an adequate health care plan to cover major health care costs." (emphasis mine)

He goes on to propose a fine on free riders as an enforcement mechanism for such a requirement. The individual mandate.

He proposes tax credits for those who need financial assistance complying with the law or who pay out of pocket for care, NOT as the sole "reward" for choosing to obtain coverage, as you would characterize it. His proposal was for a mandatory system, not an optional one.

Bottom line, Stuart Butler of the HF proposed the exact same mechanism in 1990 for enforcing coverage and reducing costs as the one that eventually became the ACA. You've received some incomplete information, and bought the HF's spin.