General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: States can opt out of Medicaid expansion, citizens must buy x, and that's a progressive victory? [View all]Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)You have to buy some minimum coverage, and there are a lot of options.
If you qualify for Medicaid, the mandate doesn't apply to you. If you get ins. thru your employer, like most people, the mandate doesn't apply to you. If you are a senior, the mandate doesn't apply to you.
If you are one of the working poor, the mandate applies...and you will get govt assistance to buy some minimum of coverage.
If you are a decently paid middle class person/family, the mandate is for YOU. Since you can afford it but refuse to buy it, that can officially be called a deadbeat position, since you expect OTHER PEOPLE to pay for what you can afford possibly even more than the people who will have to pay your bills.
That is reasonable. And it's a step in the right direction, toward universal coverage.