InsideHealthPolicy: Obama Open To Individual Mandate; Will Work With Congress On Financing

From InsideHealthPolicy: Although he rejected the idea of an individual mandate during his presidential campaign, President Barack Obama said in letter to Senate Finance Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) and health committee Chair Edward Kennedy (D-MA) that he is now open to the mandate as long as the law allows for a “hardship waiver” for those who cannot afford it. The insurance industry strongly supports an individual mandate but is less enthused by the waiver idea, and would prefer robust subsidies that would ensure that all Americans would be able to afford coverage in a reformed market, a spokesperson said.

“We need to get everyone covered,” the spokesperson for America’s Health Insurance Plan (AHIP) adds. “That is why it’s so important that there is adequate financial assistance available for working families and low-income individuals to help purchase coverage.”

AHIP on Wednesday released a poll showing 70 percent of respondents to a nationwide poll said that an individual mandate would be acceptable as part of broader health reform , while only 24 percent said that they would oppose “any health reform plan that requires individuals to have health insurance.”

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