Insurance of all kinds works on the principle that the majority of participants will not require the use of the service. This is why hurricane insurance would be much more profitable in Wyoming than in Florida. Flood insurance would be more profitable in Arizona than in North Carolina. FDIC works as long as 99% of the of the banks don't fail. FICA works as long as most people don't try to collect on it.

People like to use the claim that since some types of insurance are required, like car insurance, that it's OK to make other types mandatory. Since you can sue a bad driver who hits you, but cannot sue someone who gives you their bad cold (or worse), the arguement doesn't hold up.

Health insurance is not workable if only sick people participate. That is why insurance companies charge different rates depending on your age, habits, and health. That is also why every proposed scheme for nazional (my preferred spelling) health care requires the forced participation of healthy people.

I posted before where Hitlery Klinton wouldn't rule out going after wages to force participation. Even with a video clip of her saying so ...
George Stephanopoulous: "Will you garnish the wages of people who don't comply ... don't buy the insurance?"
Hillary Clinton: "George, we will have an enforcement mechanism, whether it's that (garnishment) or it's some other mechanism, through the tax system, or automatic enrollment..."
... I still got an "It ain't so, Joe".

Here is a clip explaining some of the whats and wastes of these programs (and why they are so costly) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B99rdAN0WZU

For those of you on dial-up or who want to be able to point to something less "subjective", than a blog entry or a vid clip, I went through the trouble of digging up her health plan summary - from her OWN campaign site (which her defenders obviously didn't).

source: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/healthcare/summary.aspx

3. PROMOTE SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Relying on consumers or the government alone to fix the system has unintended consequences, like scaled-back coverage or limited choices. This plan ensures that all who benefit from the system share in the responsibility to fix its shortcomings.¹

    * Insurance and Drug Companies: insurance companies will end discrimination based on pre-existing conditions or expectations of illness and ensure high value for every premium dollar; while drug companies will offer fair prices and accurate information.

    * Individuals: will be required² to get and keep insurance in a system where insurance is affordable and accessible.

    * Providers: will work collaboratively with patients and businesses to deliver high-quality, affordable care.

    * Employers: will help financing the system; large employers will be expected to provide health insurance or contribute to the cost of coverage: small businesses will receive a tax credit to continue or begin to offer coverage.

    * Government: will ensure that health insurance is always affordable and never a crushing burden on any family and will implement reforms to improve quality and lower cost.

Now... still say it ain't so?

1) At the expense of those who neither created the problem, nor will benefit from the system, nor have any say in fixing the problem.

2) require: (verb) - to impose a compulsion or command on