Yesterday, I invited you to play a little game of “Would you rather…?”. Let’s keep that theme going a little while longer, this time on the topic of the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Would you rather comply with the individual mandate or be auto-enrolled in a health plan (with a chance to opt out)?
That’s just one of the either-or scenarios being proposed now that the individual mandate is in a bit of legal trouble.
Another applies the carrot-stick principle: offering discounts to people who purchase coverage early and charging higher premiums to those who enroll late.
I’m not wild about the individual mandate, but these alternatives don’t particularly thrill me, either. But at least the debate is spurring further thought on the issue, and that can only be a good thing.
What do you think? When it comes to the individual mandate, is the devil you know better than the devil you don’t? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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2 Comment(s)
Posted by: jack j | March 23, 2012 10:49 PM
I do not see this as being a good idea. This mandate is not good at all. I so not see anybody benefiting from this at all. I want to see a change with this. Blu-ray duplication
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Posted by: Alan P | February 15, 2011 4:13 PM
Your readers should respond just as they have to auto-enrollment in 401K programs.
From what I have read in your publication, auto-enrollment in employer savings plans, with an opt-out option, have been a good thing. Better than opt-in plans.
If we have a proven methodology, why treat health plans any differently?
Of course, in the minds of a certain portion of our electorate and elected officialdom, auto-enrollment will be seen as no different than a mandate.
So, let's make sure that enrollment is voluntary, but if you don't enroll, there should be no requirement for any hospital or doctor to treat you without charge. After all, I am tired of paying in my premiums and my out-of-pocket costs to subsidize people who choose free-rider status.
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