I believe that everyone should have health insurance. And one way or another, I believe that we should all pay for it - either through taxes that are used to fund a national health care system, or through mandates that require everyone to purchase health insurance, with the government picking up the tab for those who cannot afford it on their own. Nothing is really free - in countries where they have “free” health care the citizens pay for it with tax dollars, although most countries do a much better job of managing and controlling health care costs than we do.

Now that Hillary Clinton has conceded her candidacy, it looks like the idea for mandatory health insurance will fade away, as that was a huge part of her health care reform proposal. Health care reform has been Clinton’s baby for years - and she made it a huge part of her candidacy. The idea for mandatory health insurance isn’t limited to Clinton’s campaign. In Colorado, two of the top five proposals being considered last year by the Blue Ribbon Commission included mandatory health insurance, and they’ve done it in MA - residents there are currently paying fines if they don’t have health insurance in place. But with Clinton out of the race, nationwide mandatory health insurance isn’t likely to come to fruition in the near future. I can’t see McCain’s health care plan working at all; it doesn’t seem like a well-thought-out plan, and deregulating the health insurance industry isn’t likely to lead to anything good for policy holders. Obama has made children’s health insurance a priority in his health care reform proposals, which will help. But turning 18 doesn’t mean that you no longer need health insurance. We need to work towards providing health care for everyone, regardless of how old they are. I support making health insurance mandatory, but mandates do rub people the wrong way, especially when it means that they’re being told how to spend their money. That’s why it seems to me that the best solution is a health care system that is non profit, and funded by tax dollars. I can see people being frustrated by a mandate that forces them to buy health insurance from private companies that generate profits for shareholders and allow for little decision-making input from policy-holders. But if health care were like police and fire services or public schools, people would probably feel less resentful about having to pay for it with their tax dollars. And it would no doubt be less expensive.