I stand amazed at the perceived differences on this issue. Under the Obama plan, some people might say "I don't want it." Under Hillary's plan, some people might say "I don't want it." What's the difference? Under Hillary's plan, you get in trouble. Period.
I stand amazed that no one has linked Mandatory insurance to Hillary's $854,462 in campaign donations from the health care industry. Forcing people to buy insurance is a great way to backdoor profits for the industry, HRC's new best friends. Just because HMOs can't deny a policy doesn't mean they won't deny coverage (if you've seen Sicko, you know what's up). Forcing the populace to pay for health insurance doesn't mean they won't lose their houses over medical bills.
Here in Texas (as in much of the U.S.) auto insurance is mandatory. Many years ago, it was a tough call for many legislators to overcome the Libertarian leanings of Texas politics to pass a bill requiring auto insurance of ALL drivers. But, when you wreck your car, you do more than ruin a fine automobile and possibly injure yourself -- you injure other people and ruin other people's cars. If you're not insured, you could cause yourself and others serious hardship.
Mandatory auto insurance contributes to the already back breaking cost-of-ownership for a motor vehicle. It kicks-starts a vicious cycle: people-who-can't-afford (or don't want) insurance sometimes cause accidents, which ultimately results in increased premiums, which results in higher costs-of-ownership, which results in more people-who-can't-afford (or don't want) insurance...
Meanwhile, your insurance company vomits whenever you call to let them know you made an error while driving... And your cost-of-ownership goes up.
Expect the same from mandatory health insurance.
I also stand amazed that anyone cares about health care proposals in a Presidential election.
As long as our President is willing to support Universal Health Care legislation (if) proposed by Congress, there is no need to fret. Health Care legislation isn't the President's job...it IS the job of Congress (so yell at your Senators and Representatives if you're not happy with your health care).
higs