Explain this to me: Mass requires health care

[Merrida]

This is not along the lines of universal health care, ergo: new thread.

It is now a State law that all residents of this State of Massachusetts have health insurance. What happens if someone cannot afford health insurance, the insurance the State demands we MUST have? We get fined. So let me get this straight, we cannot afford health insurance, so your political way to show how much you care about the health insurance situation of the Massachusetts residence is,...to FINE them if they cannot afford this mandatory health care?

I could understand if they required it and offered it to those who could prove they had no way to get it (ie: through their employer, through marriage to their spouse, etc.), no way to pay for it. But basically they're saying: Look at us, continental USA, we are so advanced and care so much, they can legally say "see? all our residents have health insurance," as if it we all chose it and could afford it.

Anyone see anything wrong with this picture?

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[LiftGirl]

I read about it in the paper, and I read that it's subsidized to those who are low income and cannot afford it.

Also, there are some who are young and healthy and choose to forgo insurance they could afford, figuring they won't need it. Then they get sick and wonder why they can't buy insurance. What percentage of the uninsured population they are I don't know.

[Merrida]

The only "subsidy" for "low income" is welfare.

If you are someone who works for minimum wage, works part time, has a seasonal job, is self employed and/or under employed and for whatever reason, cannot afford insurance, you do not qualify for welfare.

I'm not sure what the papers are saying about offering people help with insurance but as a Mass resident, rest assured, unless you are NOT employed (in which case yep, you'll get Mass Health welfare coverage), or if you make less than, I believe it's $5k a year, that, too, would qualify you for welfare. But there are no subsidies for what the general population would consider "low income individuals." But yes, they totally and absolutely WILL FINE you if you do not get yourself covered with insurance. You do not have the option of choosing not to have insurance. (This is supposed to be viewed as a progressive move,...like a Health Insurance version of "No Child Left Behind" no doubt,...make it a requirement, but either make people go broke trying to pay Mass premiums, or fine them). Note, too, that Mass laws are very different with every type of insurance, including car insurance (we do not get a fraction of the options you do in every other state!) There are no organizations out there that go out of their way to reach out to people who are very low income and cannot afford this required health care. Now that is some bizarre type of ruling.

[ajarvis]

alright that sounds as ridiculous as me going to collections for health care that is my right as a canadian citizen to have. Under or charter they're not allowed to charge for healthcare above and beyond our taxes yet they did. Damn government

[MAURER]

just another example of why the government should play less of a role in health care... you can always count on the government to screw up anything they get their hands on.

[.V.]

Damn, I love the nanny state.