Learning to Love Mandates

No person -- even me -- likes being told what to do and when to do it, especially when the authority figure is any form of government. It runs counter to our country's love of freedom, choice and individualism. And, fresh off celebrating our country's 233rd birthday, it seems more than a little ironic that we would be publicly debating more government mandates. (By the way, should that word be changed to humandates or persondates?)

Yet these founding principles are now colliding with the realities of modern America. Too many people are uninsured and more are underinsured. Individuals and families are just a job loss or catastrophic health event away from economic hardship. And there are significant health disparities in many communities, especially those of color.

It is against this societal backdrop that I am learning to love the concept of individual mandates as part of health-care reform. Why? Because if individual mandates mean that we can achieve universal coverage, then I can live with this new government requirement. Because if such mandates mean that my patients will more responsible for all aspects of their care, then I wholeheartedly embrace the policy concept. And because if individual mandates means that my own health coverage choices are somewhat limited, then I can live with the personal trade-off knowing that I am helping my neighbor. For me, that is true sign of a healthy community.

By Raymond Martins  |  July 9, 2009; 9:58 AM ET  | Category:  Insurance
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