Writing in the January 7th Wall Street Journal, Robert Reich, the former Secretary of Labor under President Clinton makes the case that the GOP will be shooting itself in the foot if successful in repealing the individual mandate to carry health insurance that is contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Conservatives see the mandate as some infringement on personal liberty and others see it as unconstitutional. Neither matter if you want to play fair in distributing the burden of health care costs. As Mr. Reich puts it:
The individual mandate is the linchpin of the health-care law because it spreads the risks. Without the participation of younger or healthier people, private insurers won’t be able to take on older or sicker customers with pre-existing medical conditions, or maintain coverage indefinitely for people who become seriously ill.
Unwittingly perhaps Mr. Reich makes another cogent point, it is not the insurance companies that are the problem it is the cost of health care. Also note the words “private insurers.” Guess what, a public plan would not be able to take on these costs either which is why there are fixed enrollment periods and “required” coverage (except if you wave all coverage) for Medicare.
It is very easy to protest a government mandate; hey, I happen to like incandescent light bulbs. Truly solving a problem rather than merely creating a different one is another matter. Rather than oppose the mandate, the hundreds of millions of Americans who are paying for health insurance or have it included as part of their compensation should be rejoicing at the mandate. The uninsured cost everyone money. Just as you would not want to be broadsided by a driver with no auto insurance, you should not want your premiums driven higher by the cost of uncompensated care or those individuals who try to game the system and buy insurance only when they know it will be used.
If all of us good American citizens were responsible adults, no mandate would be necessary, and if we were all responsible adults we would not have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year picking up roadside litter either nor would there be a need for signs in restrooms reminding us to wash our hands.
If you disagree, what better idea do you have?
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 