Good Luck Enforcing Mandated Insurance...

[ThePhilosopher04]

Forget the fact that I'm against mandated insurance, and will refuse to purchase it...I'm not sure how in the hell the Federal Government, or any other entity for that matter, could enforce it. It's one thing to have the law on the books, it's another to actually enforce it, and the logistics of it will be an absolute fucking nightmare IMHO. Don't say the IRS because they can't enforce the tax code we have now, much less enforce a private insurance mandate.

Who or what entity would be the party harmed if one chooses not to purchase? The Federal Govt. can't claim harm because they're not the insurer...an individual insurance company can't claim harm, because who is to say which company an individual would choose to purchase from? And how in the hell would they know who has insurance or not?

Only thing I can think of - and I'm giving too much credit here - is maybe the plan is to fuck things up so badly that even conservatives will be clamoring for a Single-Payer system just to avoid the complication and the hassle.

[Ozymanithrax]

1. Insurance is Mandated in Germany. Nobody goes bankrupt.

It works in other countries, also. Health Reform Without a Public Plan: The German Model. This is close to what we are trying to do.

[ThePhilosopher04]

2. This isn't Germany...

and no way in hell will that enforcement mechanism fly constitutionally in the United States, much less with the people...the abortion issue alone will fuck that up.

[Ozymanithrax]

15. No, it isn't Germany. It is a system that works very well in other countries..

and somewhat well in Massachusets. It provides universal or near universal health care coverage and nobody goes bankrupt due to catastrophic health issues.

Finally, is the system that will pass.

[Heywood J]

25. Somewhat well in Mass?

You mean like those 250 prominent doctors that signed a letter stating that Mitt Romney's Massachusetts system doesn't work and is actually harming people?

[girl gone mad]

3. "The $64,000 question is...

...whether America’s private health insurers would be willing to countenance the tight regulation required for that approach."

We got our answer: NO!

Without the tough regulations in place, mandates are a disaster waiting to happen.

[Ozymanithrax]

16. Why does any industry follow any regulation?

When regulations are passed they will eithe follow them or face prosecution and sanctions. Banks followed reglations for decades, until Republcians removed them. There are already many reguations on health carethat are followed. Mandates are a system that works. We need health care as a nation.

[readmoreoften]

4. And Walmart is unionized in Germany.

This ain't Germany. Ain't nothin' gonna be regulated here.

[Ozymanithrax]

17. There are m any things regulated here. Republicans have tended to remove regulations...

when in power. But regulations can be put in place.

[kenny blankenship]

7. what you meant to say was enrollment in NON-PROFIT insurance is automatic in Germany

It's very unlike proposed mandates on individuals to buy for profit insurance and then sick the law on them if they don't.

From the article which you clearly did not understand:
In Germany, statutory health insurance, which covers 90 percent of the population, is financed by a payroll tax.

[reggie the dog]

8. When you work in France you automatically pay

into the national health insurance program, but it is non profit.

[Ozymanithrax]

18. Yes, the Senate has set up a different system of funding. But it remains the same.

It will work the same.

Mandates work in other country to provide health care. They can and will work here if we give them a chance.

[grantcart]

11. But its easy to enforce because its done from a single payer payroll deduction

i.e. income tax.

[eridani]

14. Bullshit. Germany, the Netherlands, etc DICTATE PRICES

There are NO cost controls in this bill whatsoever. If the government does not force insurance companies into the role of utility companies vis a vis public utility commissions, there are no cost controls.

If there were, we would get mandated insurance like the Netherlands has--NO copays, NO deductibles, and NO age discrimination. Cost--100 euros/month/adult. Instead we have really, really SHITTY, barely more than catastrophic, mandates that will strip you bare even before you incur any actual serious medical expenses.

[niyad]

5. and where are they going to put all of us who refuse to become slaves to the insurance cartel?

maybe THAT's what all those blackwater/halliburton "detention sites" are REALLLLY for.

did you hear KO's special comment tonight?

[Jamastiene]

9. I didn't see it.

Is there a link to KO's special comment? I'd like to watch that.

[Blasphemer]

12. I'm watching it now:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#34455431

[Jamastiene]

13. Thank you. n/t

[upi402]

6. If you have any worth at all, you may not for long

The rest will get off the hook after the new prison building jobs program is broke and the prisons are too full. That's all I can figure.

What a great country this was. We were the shining city on the hill.

[Jamastiene]

10. keyword: was

Dead on.

[treestar]

19. It will be easy because people want insurance on their health

The mandate is for people who refuse to buy it, thinking they won't need it.

I am self employed and buying insurance it up to me. I have it. Granted it only covers disaster, but I won't go without having it just in case. I didn't have to be mandated by law to do it.

If you won't buy it, you'll be uninsured. then we don't have to feel bad when you get sick and can't afford treatment, right? And you won't expect a bailout at any time. We also don't have to pay for your ER visits, right? Can they even turn you away?

[babyblonde]

22. well arent you special

so if an UNINSURED child is runover by a car,you wont feel bad.....lovely,hope you dont get REAL sick ...because ALL PRIVATE INS is capped ,youll be dead broke,when they throw ya outa the hospital!and i wont feel badly either

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. Who is harmed by you not having insurance?

Those of us with insurance are harmed. Every time you show up to a hospital ER, those costs are passed on the those who do pay, either insurance companies or the federal government through medicare.

[stevietheman]

23. I think we should let those kind of problems multiply until we get a strong public option.

LET THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FALL APART!!

[Johonny]

21. I agree

The only logical enforcement agency is the IRS but you do not have to file a tax form. Basically the people most likely to not have bought insurance are those not likely to have to file a claim. However there can be harm in this. People that are eligible for tax credit if they file may not because they haven't bought insurance. Either way it's a huge budget negative to audit low income payers. The people least likely to not pay for insurance and not pay the fine. The law doesn't appear to be enforceable or if enforced would be a huge $ drain on the tax revenue.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

24. The last I heard the IRS would enforce it.

You would have to submit proof of insurance with your tax return and if you didn't they would add it to your tax bill or deduct it from your refund.