They haven't got that far. All they have are commercials on T.V. with a mediocre actor in crutches saying "Ya hoo - manditory life insurance is here, and maybe you'll be able to afford Blue Cross now because they've "supposedly" lowered their rates. Naturally, they've done this because they will no longer be liable to take care of anyone without insurance - since it's now against the law. I can't wait to see how this turns out. All my friends are free-lance artists, or work on 1099's for theaters (who don't offer insurance) and have to shell out between 400, and 500 dollars a month for healthcare now. Forget about Massachusetts fining companies who do the end-around with insurance by calling their workers "part-time" or "independent contractors". And in Mass - all temp agencies make their employers pay for their own insurance. (Or at least back when - when I worked for them you did.)

People vote against new taxes, so the government, meaning cities, states, and federal have found a way around it. They place ordinances and laws to fine people. The people get mad at the police for having to make tickets and arrests, not the government. The police department may only get $7, not enough to cover the time of the officer from the fine, the rest goes to the court to fill the city, state, and government coffers.

The home owner insurance is higher if you smoke inside your home, so even at home you have to go outside.

i understand the reasoning behind the fines for added funding to the state and city governments but here in michigan with so many of our cities in financial distress to the point of state take over i'm wondering what they are doing with all the money that these fines are generating.

wow--never heard of taxes would go up if you are the home owner and smokes--that's kinda sound absurd--

Shadowdog you pay more for your homeowner's insurance if you smoke inside your home!

is that law in some states or all?

You homeowner's insurance agent asks if you smoke inside your home, if you do the premium is higher. They claim because of fires started and the number of people who die from smoking in bed.

Insurances companies go by whatever makes them more money!

well that's true--

my insurance never asked me that---and usually i get people that smokes comes by the house----maybe i need to read the policy closely-- --oops--me bad--lol

Shadowdog, I am sure you smoke in bed, but not from tobacco!

lol

Mandatory health insurance? Maybe the politicians need to review their history, say the prohibition years???? Making laws that can not possibly be enforced is beyond ignorant, it's just plain stupid.

Of course, I'm sure, rather than claim the title "stupid" they will simply create a higher tax on SOME weird thing, that will go to support a state run insurance company, whose purpose is to insure those who can not afford insurance and thereby, making them follow the law.

WHAT????? Yes - bet they will try it. NOW imagine a state run insurance company or any insurance company running under the dictates of a state.

prohibition days are here and now

it is just different substances that are prohibited

when do they plan on banning DRUNK DRIVING?? DRUNK IN PUBLIC?? raise TAXES on ALCOHOL.
I will give my opinion once i finish SMOKING!

I worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield YEARS AGO when they started that CRAP about smoking. BLAH BLAH BLAH. They ORDERED the EMPLOYEES to quit or be fired. I quit my job and the president of blue cross blue shield DIED that same day in Maui running. He thought he was a HEALTH FANATIC. BUH BYE!!!