Letters: Getting everyone to buy insurance

Re “Good news on health costs,” Editorial, May 24

Yes, it will be very, very good news when these state health insurance exchanges give individuals and small groups the buying power of large employers and other big groups within the insurance game.

However, as the editorial points out, we still have to overcome a new kind of moral hazard: “The rest will have to be convinced that it’s worth paying $1,360 or more next year instead of facing a $95 tax penalty.”

That penalty is going to increase at a fast clip over a few years, but the reluctance of the currently healthy to buy coverage also can be overcome by imposing a $10,000 to $15,000 late entry fee for those who sign up only when they need it, and not before.

The president’s Affordable Care Act is a great start, but is going to keep everyone busy for a few years, hammering out the kinks.

Jennifer A. Zaft

Huntington Beach

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