New Proposal Would Fine Americans Without Health Insurance

If you thought Big Brother (the U.S. government, not the television show) had gone overboard in the past, you’ll love the latest proposal floating around the not-so-hallowed halls of Congress these days. A new concept put forth yesterday by Congress would fine American citizens up to $3,800 for failure to purchase health insurance. That such a suggestion could possibly even see the light of day is almost like some sick joke or anti-preservationist tendency among congressional Democrats, but apparently it’s for real.

Of course, since the U.S. government and its various syndicates...er, bureaucracies....are so good at keeping records, such a proposal would, no doubt, never confuse Americans who had paid for health coverage with those who hadn’t. So, please, don’t worry about this latest development at all. At the same time, the concept of a government-run health insurance plan seems to be losing traction quickly, as some prominent moderate Democrats are losing faith in such an approach. Despite that, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid noted, "We’re re-energized; we’re ready to do health care reform." Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives, noted, "I believe that a public option will be essential to our passing a bill."

Of all the opportunities for passage, it appears that a proposal put forth by Senator Max Baucus, D-Montana, has the best chance. Called the "Baucus Plan," it guarantees health coverage for almost all Americans regardless of health condition, and includes a stipulation regarding higher premiums for smokers and persons over the age of 60. The plan also includes fees that are to be paid by insurers and drug companies, but given both the large profits to be had in those industries, and the overwhelming percentage of costs that go into administration (read: rejecting your health insurance claims), it’s unlikely that lawmakers will see any backlash from the American people over that big of the plan.