COVERAGE: Myths About the Individual Mandate

As we’ve noted before, requiring individuals to purchase health insurance—the so-called “individual mandate”—has figured prominently in the national debate on health reform. From California to Massachusetts to the campaign podium, the concept is a central point of the reform dialogue.

We believe that requiring all Americans to purchase health insurance, coupled with low-income subsidies and insurance market reforms, is a necessary component of a sustainable health system that seeks to cover all Americans. Given the constant echo chamber of op-eds and punditry, we felt it was useful to take a step back to examine common myths about the "individual mandate."

Drawing from a recent issue brief by the New America Foundation, each day this week, we will examine a common myth about the individual mandate. They are:

• Monday: Societal Costs of the Uninsured
• Tuesday: Affordability
• Wednesday: Enforceability
• Thursday: Covering All Americans
• Friday: Stifling Competition