Think the government can’t mandate to the public that they have to purchase a prohibitively priced, at times defective product with no “money back guarantee”? Then penalize the public if they don’t comply, by way of fines or garnishment of wages? Think again as President Obama has, according to the LA Times, signaled a potential flip-flop on his election promise to not force Americans to “buy” health insurance “he or she cannot afford”.

The LA Times is reporting that President Obama is “signaling a new openness” requiring all Americans to have health insurance.

Obama is couching his health care proposal as Americans having a choice of plans from either private insurers or the government. While the Times is reporting a potential signal that Obama is willing to mandate all Americans get insurance coverage–which means buying it out their own pocket–what the Times isn’t reporting is what the consequences will be if someone doesn’t get health insurance once it’s been mandated by the Obama administration.

“In Massachusetts, scofflaws who do not buy health insurance this year face a penalty of as much as $912, imposed on their 2008 state tax return.”
–Washington Post

The state of Massachusetts already requires residents to get health insurance or be penalized if they fail to do so. It was then-Governor Mitt Romney who signed the bill into law. Which goes to show even Republicans are willing to shirk such conservative values such as freedom of choice and the steadfast resolve against an intrusive government willing to penalize those who fail to comply for “their own good”.

Under the plan, those who live in Massachusetts and can’t afford health insurance, are faced with having to pay a government fine. Which, ironically, Obama, as a candidate, opposed.

From the Washington Post:

Obama disputed that millions would be left out, saying his plan emphasizes reducing costs so more people can afford insurance. He noted that the requirement in Massachusetts has not meant coverage for all; in fact, state officials had to exempt tens of thousands of people on the grounds that it would be unfair to require them to buy a policy if they could not afford one.

“In some cases, there are people who are paying fines and still can’t afford it, so now they’re worse off than they were,” Obama said. “They don’t have health insurance, and they’re paying a fine. . . . But understand that both of us seek to get universal health care. I have a substantive difference with Senator Clinton on how to get there.”

The push is on in the liberal Democrat Congress and the Obama administration requiring universal healthcare coverage for all Americans. Congress, as well as Obama, are operating in the same manner as the 5.3 trillion Stimulus package. The bill was fast-tracked through legislation while Obama warned of incipient doom and even called Americans who didn’t support it “unpatriotic” if they didn’t fall in line and support the bill. There’s no doubt the same tact will be applied regarding the government getting involved in the business of universal healthcare coverage.

Those who won’t be required to pay: the estimated 15 million illegal immigrants whose health care costs have forced many hospitals and counties to the brink of financial disaster to the tune of billions in unpaid costs.

Another idea being floated on how to penalize those who don’t buy healthcare coverage: garnishment of wages. The government already garnishes the wages of those who fail to pay their taxes or those who fall behind in child support.

As for the guarantee that the Obama administration will “fix” the healthcare industry, including healthcare insurance costs, the public might want to know that the administration is currently seeking to cut an estimated $500 billion in services to Medicaid and Medicare recipients in order to pay for expanded healthcare coverage. What this means: less healthcare services being provided while attempting to expand coverage. What it doesn’t guarantee: reigning in the prohibitive cost of healthcare coverage, a kind of a robbing “Peter to pay Paul” scenario.

Americans need to demand that before Congress passes a law mandating that the public will be penalized by way of fines or garnishment of wages for not buying a product- in this case healthcare coverage-that it’s Congress’ duty to ensure that the cost of the product is not prohibitive as well as defective. In short, prove to us, the public, that you can fix it, before we’re forced to buy it.

By LBG

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