Mandatory auto insurance does not justify mandatory health insurance
September 22nd, 2009 | by Brian Schwartz |President Obama has stated that “under my plan, individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance — just as most states require you to carry auto insurance.” Ari Armstrong points out why this analogy is false:
It is simply not true that states “require you to carry auto insurance.” Rather, you must buy auto insurance (or face fines) only if you drive an automobile on politically operated roads.
For example, Colorado’s statute 10-4-619 states that “compulsory coverage” applies to “every owner of a motor vehicle who operates the motor vehicle on the public highways of this state or who knowingly permits the operation of the motor vehicle on the public highways of this state.”…
Obama’s proposal to force everybody to buy politically controlled insurance is not like the requirement to buy auto insurance for public highways. Under Obama’s proposal, there is no escape and no exception. If you don’t buy insurance that politicians and their appointed bureaucrats approve for you, you face hefty fines. If you want to self-insure, or if you don’t like the politically-approved insurance, that’s tough. You will be forced to buy it. Because Obama is all about choice, competition, and freedom. And two plus two equals five.
To make clear what politically-approved medical insurance is, here’s what car insurance would look like if it resembled politically controlled medical insurance: It would not be insurance at all. It would cover routine predictable expenses such as oil changes, leak repair, tire rotations and replacement, etc, etc. Premium costs would skyrocket and customers not would shop around for the best price, so car repair shops would not compete on price.
tags: mandatory insurance
