ROMNEY MANDATED GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE, FORCED TAXPAYERS TO SIGN UP AND SENT BILL TO TAXPAYERS

Romney Imposed Individual Mandate In Massachusetts Requiring All Adults To Purchase Health Insurance. “The individual mandate requires all residents of Massachusetts who are 18 and older to purchase health insurance. The Commonwealth sanctions those who do not purchase such insurance via the state income tax.” (David A. Hyman, “The Massachusetts Health Plan: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly,” Cato Institute Policy Analysis, 6/28/07)

RomneyCare Forced Uninsured Individuals To Buy Health Care
Or Face Tax Penalty

Massachusetts Health Connector Ad Reminded Residents That They Needed To Sign Up For Health Insurance Or Face Tax Penalty. “Got health insurance? Massachusetts residents are now required to have health insurance or face a tax penalty. But Massachusetts is making it more affordable and easier to get through the state’s Health Connector. Sign up for health insurance by November 15th to make sure you avoid any penalties.” (Massachusetts Health Connector, Radio Ad, 11/07)

“A Year After Massachusetts Became The Only State To Require That Individuals Have Health Coverage, Residents Face Deadlines To Sign Up Or Lose Their Personal Tax Exemption, Worth $219 On Next Year’s State Income Tax Returns.” (Kevin Sack, “Massachusetts Faces A Test On Health Care,” The New York Times, 11/25/07)

“The State Established A Mild Penalty For The First Year: The Loss Of The $219 Tax Exemption. But In The Second Year, The Fine Can Amount To Half The Cost Of The Least Expensive Policy Available, Probably At Least $1,000.” (Kevin Sack, “Massachusetts Faces A Test On Health Care,” The New York Times, 11/25/07)

RomneyCare Forced Many Businesses To Buy Health Care
Or Face Tax Penalty

RomneyCare’s “Play-Or-Pay” Mandate Requires All Businesses With More Than 10 Employees That Do Not Provide A “Fair And Reasonable” Contribution To Workers’ Health Insurance To Pay A Tax Penalty Of Up To $295 Per Employee Per Year. (David A. Hyman, “The Massachusetts Health Plan: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly,” Cato Institute Policy Analysis, 6/28/07)

Unless Employers Create “Cafeteria Plan” Employees Can Purchase On Pre-Tax Basis, They Face “Free Rider Surcharge” Of Up To 100% Of The Cost Of Care Of All Their Employees In Excess Of $50,000. (Michael D. Tanner, “No Miracle in Massachusetts: Why Governor Romney’s Health Care Reform Won’t Work,” Cato Briefing Papers No. 97, 6/6/06)

RomneyCare Costs Already Out Of Control

Massachusetts Will Pay $1.6 Billion For RomneyCare In 2007, Rising 12.5% To $1.8 Billion In 2008, The First Full Year It’s Implemented. (Aliza Marcus, “Romney’s Health Care For All May Deteriorate In A Cash Squeeze,” Bloomberg, 7/27/07)

“Those Managing The Enrollment Effort Say It Has Exceeded Expectations. In Particular, State-Subsidized Insurance Packages Offered To Low-Income Residents Have Been So Popular That The Program’s Spending May Exceed Its Budget By Nearly $150 Million.” (Kevin Sack, “Massachusetts Faces A Test On Health Care,” The New York Times, 11/25/07)