Mandates over Private Health Insurance at Issue in Some States

Several years ago, the state of Massachusetts made national news with legislation that required people to obtain private health insurance as part of a broader reform plan.

More recently, the Obama administration and Congress have been weighing a proposal that would enact a similar requirement at the national level. However, it remains to be seen what provisions will actually be included in a sweeping and controversial healthcare reform package that is still making its way through Congress.

Under such systems, those who fail to purchase or otherwise obtain coverage pay fines of various sums, depending on factors like their income and family size.

This week, a New York Times report noted that some states are now weighing amendments to their constitutions that would ban such mandates. At least 10 states are said to be weighing such proposals, while four others are expected to weigh the issue in the foreseeable future and Arizona voters will consider the matter on next year's state ballot.

The Times also noted that in many cases, the states are not responding to the Obama Administration's recent attention to this policy proposal, but to the original Massachusetts law, which took effect in 2006.