What If the Mandate Is Struck Down? Will Health Care Reform Survive?

The US Supreme Court will hear arguments both for and against the individual mandate, which is the central figure in the health care reform bill. Insurance companies will argue that without the mandate, the ability to provide insurance for everyone goes away. The Obama administration says that without the mandate the reset of the health care reform rules should remain in place, except for 2 rules.

The two rules that would be removed from health care reform are the requirements that insurers cover everyone that applies, and that the insurance companies use a "community rate" instead of rates based upon the applicants health characteristics. Without these two provisions, the health care reform regulations just become "business as usual" but with more required benefits, and therefore, higher costs. The exact opposite of what health care reform was supposed to do.

If the mandate is struck down, then health care reform needs to be scuttled and a new plan created.

Stay tuned for more.

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