,,Health Debate Reality Check: The Role of Individual Requirements

Health Debate Reality Check: The Role of Individual Requirements


 

Publication Date: December 2007

Publisher: New America Foundation

Author(s): Jonathan Gruber; Mark V. Pauly; Len M. Nichols

Research Area: Health; Politics

Keywords: Individual Mandate; Health Reform

Type: Brief

Abstract:

The good news is that presidential candidates in both parties are talking about making health insurance and care more affordable in lots of ways. The inevitable bad news is that a few key points have become confused in escalating campaign combat. We three health economists, not affiliated with any specific campaign, feel compelled to clarify what health policy research does and does not have to say about an issue central to current campaign debates, the role of an individual requirement to purchase insurance.