The cornerstone of the Republican giveaway to insurance companies in their proposed bill is mandated insurance. Everyone in America will be forced to buy insurance, with some inadequate subsidy for the working poor.
So I got to thinking, how does mandated insurance avoid the Church and State conflict?
There are a number of religious denominations who believe strongly that the only medicine you need is prayer. You probably remember the lawsuits – the children who die and the custody battles fought because their parents won’t let them get blood transfusions or lifesaving surgery. This law will require them to pay money towards something that their church holds in abhorrence.
These people have lawyers. They have fought battles over similar issues in court. Will there be an exception for them? If there isn't now, there will be the moment the lawsuit hits its first appeal.
Some congregations of Mennonites do not buy health insurance, but set up their own community charity fund. Does belonging to one of these congregations exempt you from having to purchase? Does belonging to a "power of prayer" denomination exempt you? Will faith healers be licensable insurance alternatives?
The first time a member of one of these denominations gets fined for not having the insurance, it’ll be litigated. And the paper membership of that denomination will skyrocket, as those who don’t have the money to buy overpriced insurance look for affordable alternatives. Is this an intended consequence, swell the rolls of fundie churches?
I don't know the answers, but I'm hoping that somebody else has thought about this.
Political fights create odd alliances. I think we should look into bringing some of these voices in to the public debate over mandates, if mandates seem to be gaining traction.