States Consider Instituting Their Own Individual Healthcare Mandates

What’s the story?

As the federal government continues to institute policies and laws that run counter to the prevailing political beliefs in some states, issues are being moved from the federal playing field to the state one. When the Federal Communications Commission repealed net neutrality, states stepped up and instituted their own net neutrality laws.

Now at least nine states are considering how to institute their own individual health insurance mandates in the wake of the federal mandate being repealed via tax reform.

Maryland, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Washington, Minnesota, New Jersey and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia, are also considering ways to instate an individual insurance mandate and enforce penalties for lack of compliance, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Setting up a system to track individuals’ coverage, and possibly exact penalties through income taxes or other measures, could be an enormous undertaking for states with poor returns. Andy Roth, vice president for government affairs at the conservative Club for Growth, pointed out that all the states considering such measures were majority Democratic ("blue"), and predicted healthcare would suffer in those states:

"We should let states duke it out. If Maryland or Vermont wants to impose heavy regulation on health care, by all means let them do it. I’d be willing to bet health care costs and quality of care will be better in red states."

Another option might be that insurance companies will be drawn to operate in states that ensure more participants, which can drive down costs while increasing revenue. And Americans who require health insurance may be drawn to those states if insurance options are greater, increasing the voting power of blue states.

What do you think?

Do you live in one of the states considering instituting a statewide individual insurance mandate? Do you think that’s a positive move or a negative one? Do you live in a state that is making more conservative moves around health insurance? Do you support those moves? Why or why not?

Tell us in the comments what you think, then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!

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— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: Health.mil / Creative Commons)