Senator Defends Plan to Jail Uninsured
Architect of the so-called compromise health care bill, Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont) defended a controversial provision in the legislation that would send those who refuse to pay for mandated insurance to prison.
“Look, our goal is 100% compliance,” Baucus explained. “’Carrots’ aren’t enough to motivate those ideologically resistant to this goal. So, we’ve got to have the option of using the ‘stick.’”
The Senator rejected the idea that those who don’t want to buy insurance are “innocent.” “Collectively, society has determined that everyone needs to be insured,” Baucus argued. “We cannot allow individuals to selfishly opt out. Such open rebellion against the government would undermine its authority to promote the general welfare.”
Neither would Baucus accept that some might have religious reasons for wanting to opt out. “Requiring someone to buy insurance doesn’t force them to receive services,” he pointed out. “If they have religious reasons for not using the services they won’t have to unless the President declares an emergency and orders mass inoculations or other treatments.”
Baucus said he didn’t expect refusal to pay to be widespread. “The prospect of having to bunk with the lowlifes occupying our jails should minimize disobedience,” he asserted.
Under Baucus’ bill, the minimum payment for insurance is set at $1900. Those who neglect to comply may be sentenced to fines up to $25,000 and/or prison terms of up to one year.
In related news, Jonathan Blum, acting director at the federal government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a “gag order” barring “any and all health-related businesses or associations from commenting on the Senator’s bill.” “This is a critical junction in the debate,” Blum said. “Voters don’t need to be confused by those contradicting the President, especially firms whose expertise in the field could lend credibility to his critics. It’s time for all good corporate ‘citizens’ to pull together behind him and get the job done.”
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