Health Insurance Mandatory for California Residents

It is a well known fact that millions of people in the United States do not have health insurance. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is making a strong push for all in state residents to obtain coverage. In other words, he wants to make it mandatory instead of an option left up to each individual.

Generally speaking, Schwarzenegger's plan is not difficult to understand. He is proposing that Californians have to buy health insurance, or they will be fined until they decide to do so.

Of course, residents will not be left to try to figure this out on their own. The state will help residents to find insurance, assist the poor, and provide help through insurance agencies, schools, etc.

Although some feel that this is a great plan, it was immediately shot down by many others. For instance, there are many people who do not carry coverage while switching jobs. In this case, these people would be punished even though they have plans to obtain health insurance as soon as they are eligible through their new employer.

This is one plan that everybody should keep an eye on; California resident or not. If the plan is passed it will change the structure of the health insurance system in the state, and in turn, others may follow suit in the near future.