Question

Some consider this an infringement on constitutional rights while some consider this an opportunity to ensure all citizens receive basic health services. What is your position on this issue and why? Information explained here: http://kff.org/infographic/the-requirement-to-buy-coverage-under-the-affordable-care-act/

Answer 1

I would say that the majority of my beliefs do lean towards citizens obtaining health insurance or risk paying fees and penalties is not an infringement of constitutional rights. I believe that this is a matter in which I am torn between both sides. I say this because a huge factor in why health care costs continue to rise is due to nonexistent preventative care within the population as well as many individuals seeking care at emergency type facilities where the bills are being left unpaid. Now on the other hand, even though I feel that penalizing individuals for not carrying insurance does not infringe on constitutional rights, I do feel that it is morally wrong. I have not personally been in a position where I was unable to afford health care benefits, but I do know quite a few single parents who struggle on a daily basis, who are unable to afford coverage for themselves but scrape by to ensure that their children are covered, and in the end they do not qualify for these penalties to be waved. With that being said, I do believe that The Affordable Care Act is enforcing these protocols in an effort to help the public, but I feel that they are doing it in the worst way possible and that it is not working the way they believed it would as people are still remaining uninsured because paying the penalties in some cases is actually cheaper than paying for insurance coverage. This is the one area that I feel could use some major adjustments within the ACA.