Mandatory

Last weekend during mock Congress, we were debating whether of not to pass a bill requiring mandatory health insurance. I rarely read the docket beforehand, so I hadn't really prepared anything. But after a few people gave their speeches, I had plenty to say.

One of the biggest proponent arguments was that as of now, we, the tax payers, pay for the emergency care for the uninsured. They reasoned that mandatory health insurance would remedy this growing issue. "Why should we pay for someone else being ill-prepared?" They asserted. And I agreed; it's not fair.

But they kept going. According to them, mandatory health insurance works like this:

Everyone pays a little bit of money into a "pot". When you require emergency care, you take what you need out of the "pot". That way, everyone is prepared. Problem solved!

Or... not.

What if you never end up taking money out of the "pot" because you're healthy and responsible? Then wouldn't you still end up paying for the people who don't take care of themselves? And what about the people who still won't be able to afford putting money in the "pot"? They'll still get to use its resources. Because here in America, we believe in FAIRNESS and EQUALITY.

Problem not solved.

After I gave a speech expressing the above concerns, someone stood up to ask me a question.

"What about car insurance?" he asked. "That's mandatory. Are you against that too?"

A fair question, but there is a logic flaw. Car insurance is, in fact, not mandatory.

Before you write me an irate comment down below, let me explain. You don't have to buy a car, thus, you don't have to get car insurance. It's only mandatory if you choose to have a car. In this sense, it is actually quite voluntary.

In contrast, you don't really have a choice in having a life.

Bonus argument: mandatory health insurance doesn't even work.

Massachusetts has implemented a mandatory health insurance plan, and it is failing miserably.

"State government spending on health-care programs in Massachusetts has increased by 42 percent since the plan was adopted in 2006 and currently is 33 percent above the national average." Additionally, the mandatory plan includes unnecessary portions like alcohol therapy and artificial insemination for people who aren't alcoholics or who aren't women.

That sounds silly to me.