Jailing the uninsured
Could Americans who refuse to buy health insurance actually be imprisoned?
Could insurance dodgers potentially face hard time?
(moodboard/Corbis)
The House health reform bill would require all Americans who can afford insurance to buy it, raising a thorny question: What happens to those who opt out, then suddenly get sick, and stick the rest of Americans with their medical bills? President Obama supports a “penalty…high enough that people don't game the system." How high exactly? Republicans point out that the House bill specifies “a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years.” Could Americans really go to jail for forgoing health insurance? (Watch Obama's comments about penalizing the uninsured)
The Dems have gone too far this time: "This is the ultimate example of the Democrats' command-and-control style of governing — buy what we tell you or go to jail," says Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI), as quoted by Nolan Finley in The Detroit News. Obama's health care reform is looking more and more like the product of "a totalitarian regime."
"Buy insurance or go to the gulag"
This is actually about placating insurance companies: "Where is the constitutional basis for requiring everyone to buy insurance?" asks Dick Morris at The Hill. This threat of incarceration for non-payment is designed to appease insurance companies who "want to see their coffers swell….the more draconian the penalties for failing to pay them large sums of money to pad their bottom lines, the better."
“Pelosi bill: Jail for no insurance”
Calm down — these "prison sentences" are a myth: The only people who'd face penalties are those who have plenty of money to buy insurance, but choose not to, says Karina Newton at Speaker Pelosi's official blog. And, frankly, they should be penalized: "Right now, every insured American family will pay $1,017 a year in insurance premiums just to cover the medical expenses of the uninsured. That’s $42.7 billion this year - or $1,354 per second." And most of those who'll get punished will find their cases handled by the IRS, which generally uses a "civil process" to settle "delinquent" payments, not jail time.
“Health insurance reform mythbuster: ‘Reform could mean jail time’”
This hysteria obscures the real issue: Those commentators who've seized on this unlikely threat are just demogogues spouting GOP talking points, says Michael Roston at True/Slant. Let's debate the real question: “Should we have an insurance mandate” at all?
“House GOP helpfully points out that tax evaders go to jail in America”
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SEE EDITORIAL CARTOONS ON HEALTH CARE REFORM:
• Healthcare prisoners against reform
• The GOP And the heathcare public option
• Harry Reid's scary healthcare plan
• Public Option is near its death
• Democratic vs. Republican health care plans
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363 Comments
Posted by Beverly, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 1:04 pm The point of reforming healthcare is to make sure all citizens are getting medical treatment at a reasonable cost. Insurance companies are being greedy just like the housing market has been.
Posted by libcrusher101, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 1:05 pm I will not buy into your socialist healthcare bill. Now, come take me to jail if you can...
Posted by Severus, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 1:16 pm libcrusher101, you and your ilk need to simmer down. There's no need for that molon labe garbage you people have been spouting for too long. The prez has the right idea, as it really is not fair for people with insurance to have to foot the bill for the uninsured, who are basically cheating the system.
Posted by Jimbo Jones, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 1:25 pm What's the big deal? You don't have insurance, you don't get treated. End of story
Posted by aj man , Thursday, November 12, 2009, 1:29 pm that is all fine im ok with helping people that are down and out but what about these P.O.S people that are living off of us tax payers and are getting weed leagaly because they have a stubbed toe and are allergic to advil. america is going down the shitter and if we dont do something about this were going down with it!!! and whats up with illegals getting free health care with this new bill??? why should i pay for an illegal that comes here to give birth to an endless cycle of welfare abusers
Posted by tlyn, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 1:35 pm The only thing I want to know is this Do those who voted for this to go through have to get on the same insurance bandwagon they are demanding I get on? In other words, do they have to buy the same insurance and face jail time too if they fail to purchase it and then get sick which in my mind is just about as cruel as it can be.
Posted by bwise, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 1:35 pm If the insurance companies would do away with preexisting conditions there would be no need for government run healthcare. Americans who have preexisting conditions are unable to get health insurance unless it is through an employer. For the person who is self employed or works for small companies who do not offer insurance they are unable to buy insurance. So for everyone who does not like the idea of goveerment run healthcare, push the insurance companies to drop preexisting. At least Obama is trying to find a solution.
Posted by sandra coon, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 1:37 pm the present well have to build more jails. all the people unployedcan not afford food and houseing. let alone insurance. he has lost his mind.
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