Of the number of people in this country without health insurance, many have chosen to do without. Particularly for those who are young and healthy, it makes more sense for them financially to pay out of pocket for their few medical expenses rather than pay substantial monthly fees for health insurance.

One of the options being discussed to help pay for health care reform is mandating that all individuals have health insurance. But is this fair? Why should someone be forced to pay for coverage they do not want or need?

Many proponents of the health insurance mandate argue that this is no different than requiring drivers to have auto insurance. True, they are both called insurance, but that does not mean they are truly parallel. Here are some significant differences between health insurance and auto insurance:

• Not everyone is required to have auto insurance – only drivers. Those who want to drive will pay. Those who do not drive will not have to pay. But the proponents of the health insurance mandate want everyone to pay, regardless of whether or not they will use it.
• Auto insurance covers accidents and damage to the vehicle. It does not cover routine maintenance and repairs. Health insurance covers injuries and serious illness. But it also helps pay for “routine maintenance and repairs” (regular doctor visits, vaccinations, prescriptions, eye glasses, etc.).
• The auto insurance mandate requires drivers to carry insurance to cover damage and injury of others when the insured driver damages property or injures or kills individuals while behind the wheel. Drivers are not required to carry insurance covering their vehicle or themselves. Health insurance is to protect the individual covered by the policy. It is not there to pay for the health expenses of others we might happen to get sick.

If the proposed changes to health care are really so wonderful, the proponents should not have to resort to these sorts of tactics (claiming these things are equal when they are not). But they do need to use these tactics. The more Americans learn about the plans of the President and the Democrat-controlled Congress, the more they don’t like them. Even the young and the uninsured, who were exploited by the President in order to pitch his plan, are turning against them.

The American people are not stupid. They know the President cannot deliver what he promises – expanded coverage, same or better care, yet with lower costs. It cannot be done. As more Americans investigate the issue, they are seeing this.

Obama and the Democrats are desperate. They are losing this debate. Who knows what they will try next?