Looking Over the Candidates: Multiple Choice Mitt

 

Mitt Romney, GOP Presidential Candidate

Multiple Choice Mitt says it all really.

History Lessons: Individual Health Insurance Mandates, 1989-2010

The Teabaggers are likely to return to their attacks on the Affordable Care Act when they “return to work” after the summer recess. As a help to readers, WC offers the following handy history of health care laws containing an individual health mandate. What’s interesting about the history of health care mandates is that it primarily a Republican idea. (WC has had to tweak the table to get it to look even halfway decent on WordPress. Sorry for the cramped appearance.)

Federal Health Care Bills Containing an Individual Health Insurance Mandate, 1993-2009 Date Bill Sponsor(s) CRS* Description of Individual Mandate 1. Nov. 20, 1993 (date introduced) Consumer Choice Health Security Act (SB 1743) (624 KB)  Sponsored by Senator Don Nickles (R-OK) & 24 Republican cosponsors “Subtitle C: Employer Provisions - Requires employers to: (1) withhold health insurance premiums from employee wages and remit such premiums to the employee’s chosen insurer; and (2) notify employees of their right to claim an advance refundable tax credit for such premiums.” 2. Nov. 23, 1993 (date introduced) Health Equity and Access Reform Today Act (SB 1770) (1.6 MB)  Sponsored by Senator John H. Chafee (R-RI) & 20 cosponsors (2-D, 18-R) “Subtitle F: Universal Coverage - Requires each citizen or lawful permanent resident to be covered under a qualified health plan or equivalent health care program by January 1, 2005. Provides an exception for any individual who is opposed for religious reasons to health plan coverage, including those who rely on healing using spiritual means through prayer alone.” 3. Jan. 18, 2007 (date introduced) Healthy Americans Act (SB 334) (427 KB)  Sponsored by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) & 17 cosponsors (7-D, 1-I, 9-R) “Healthy Americans Act - Requires each adult individual to have the opportunity to purchase a Healthy Americans Private Insurance Plan (HAPI). Makes individuals who are not enrolled in another specified health plan and who are not opposed to coverage for religious reasons responsible for enrolling themselves and their dependent children in a HAPI plan offered through their state of residence. Sets forth penalties for failure to enroll.” 4. Feb. 5, 2009 (date introduced) Healthy Americans Act (SB 391) (394 KB)  Sponsored by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) & 14 cosponsors (8-D, 1-I, 5-R) “Healthy Americans Act - Requires each adult individual to have the opportunity to purchase a Healthy Americans Private Insurance Plan (HAPI), which is: (1) a plan offered by a state; or (2) an employer-sponsored health coverage plan. Makes individuals who are not enrolled in another specified health plan and who are not opposed to coverage for religious reasons responsible for enrolling themselves and their dependent children in a HAPI plan offered through their state of residence. Sets forth penalties for failure to enroll.” 5. Dec. 24, 2009 (date passed) Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590) (2.2 MB)  No sponsors. Bill re-written by Senate Democrats. No Republican Senator voted for the bill. Read more. “Subtitle F: Shared Responsibility for Health Care – Part I: Individual Responsibility - (Sec. 1501, as modified by section 10106) Requires individuals to maintain minimal essential health care coverage beginning in 2014. Imposes a penalty for failure to maintain such coverage beginning in 2014, except for certain low-income individuals who cannot afford coverage, members of Indian tribes, and individuals who suffer hardship. Exempts from the coverage requirement individuals who object to health care coverage on religious grounds, individuals not lawfully present in the United States, and individuals who are incarcerated.” * CRS is the Congressional Research Service.

In fact, so far as WC can discover, the whole idea of an individual health care mandate originated with The Heritage Foundation, a very conservative think tank in Washington, D.C., in 1989. So it turns out that it’s not the idea of a crazed liberal crowd of Democrats. See Assuring Affordable Health Care for All Americans (1.6 MB) , by Stuart M. Butler.

Of course, Republicans can’t be bothered by history, and where it inconveniences them, they ignore it. But still.