Obama: Jail Time for Those Without Health Care Insurance

During an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Jake Tapper today, Obama said that penalties are appropriate for people who try to “free ride” the health care system but stopped short of endorsing the threat of jail time for those who refuse to pay a fine for not having insurance. “What I think is appropriate is that in the same way that everybody has to get auto insurance and if you don't, you're subject to some penalty, that in this situation, if you have the ability to buy insurance, it's affordable and you choose not to do so, forcing you and me and everybody else to subsidize you, you know, there's a thousand dollar hidden tax that families all across America are -- are burdened by because of the fact that people don't have health insurance, you know, there's nothing wrong with a penalty.”
Click Here For The Full Story......

Related:
Senate Democrats Seek Passage of Health-Care Bills By Christmas
WASHINGTON -- As former President Bill Clinton warned Senate Democrats of the political dangers of failing to pass an overhaul of the health-care system, party leaders set a goal of starting debate on a Senate bill next week and struggled to close rifts over abortion and other contentious issues. Asked at a news conference whether it was realistic to expect the Senate health-care debate to begin before Thanksgiving, with Senate passage of the legislation by Christmas, Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada replied, “Yes and yes.”

Posted by Editor at November 11, 2009 12:59 AM