 Image: WorldIslandInfo.com under CC 3.0 |
This may be a sign of things to come: a man who defied Massachusetts’ individual mandate by not buying a health insurance plan is contesting his $2,000 fine in court. He already tried the formal appeals process to get the fine reversed, but to no avail.
Michael Merlina claims that the $800 monthly premium for him and his wife under the Massachusetts Health Insurance Connector’s most affordable option was too expensive. Meanwhile, the couple’s combined income wasn’t low enough to qualify for heavily discounted state health care for the poor.
National healthcare reform will phase in a similar requirement in 2014. It includes elements of–but differs from–the Massachusetts model. It remains to be seen if it will have a similar impact for those caught between the cracks.
