[fryguy]

I've heard a republican idea that would instead allow insurance companies to charge a large fee for lapses in coverage, which would be nearly equivalent to requiring coverage except people would be hit with a big fee when signing up.

[Noted]

So people who need to get insurance insurance wouldn't be able to afford it now?

[ubernostrum]

Medicare already does this. If you go uninsured and then try to enroll (at a time when you're eligible, of course), there's a penalty you're required to pay.

[fryguy]

I didn't say it was a good plan, just one I heard suggested. I'm in the opinion that the US should just combine to have one giant risk pool, and include everyone in it (aka single payer)

[mcguire]

What about those of us who changed from employer-paid insurance to self-bought and got pre-existing condition exemptions without a lapse?

[ceejayoz]

"Give us a hundred thousand dollars or you die of cancer" doesn't sound like a great healthcare plan.