Let's say for the sake of argument that Democrats in Congress are able to get health reform legislation to President Barack Obama's desk. Will the key element–a mandate for everyone to buy insurance coverage–withstand a Constitutional challenge? I have my doubts.
This point is critical to the success of the entire reform initiative, yet I can't help but wonder whether the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court would permit the federal government to demand that every citizen hand over their cash to for-profit health insurance companies.
Given the fact that the bill requires carriers to offer coverage to all comers–even those with preexisting medical conditions–we must have mandatory coverage. Otherwise, healthy folks could simply wait until they become ill before buying coverage.
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