Looking into the Future of Healthcare by looking back at the Massachusetts Mandate

I'm afraid if Tennesseans do not secure an individual health insurance policy prior to 2014 (Individual Coverage Mandate starts 01-01-14) they'll rush to an "Exchange" offering healthcare insurance options (to healthy consumers) that are just as "un-affordable" as group (employer sponsored) health insurance coverage is today.  

Why?  Glad you asked... Lets take a look at the cost to purchase individual health insurance coverage in Massachusetts: 
"[They]have the highest individual premiums in the country. The average Massachusetts resident trying to find insurance in the individual market faced monthly premiums of $437 per person last year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation." - quote from politico.com news story about costs in Massachusetts.  Read more: CLICK HERE

It is no secret that Romney's Massachusetts Healthcare Reform Policy and Obama's National Healthcare Reform Policy are similar in comparison... The most significant similarity, and something that all healthcare consumers should be informed on, is how both policies include the setting up of consumer health insurance exchanges while simultaneously issuing an individual mandate.  A mandate? Yes, all U.S. citizens are required by law to be covered by a comprehensive medical plan.  Or, better stated as it pertains to you, the consumer: If you do not pay (or have your employer pay) an insurance company to cover your medical expenses you will be financially penalized by the federal government... 

YES!  Even if you have made the consumer choice to not purchase health insurance coverage, either because you "self pay" for your health care or because you do not actually incur expenses to pay for health care, you will  when the IRS requires you pay the federal government a penalty fee

Essentially, starting 01-01-14, you'll have to pay one of 2 entities; either an insurance company or the federal government.  And, because we can thank Mitt Romney for giving us MA as a model comparison, we can be fairly certain that the cost to purchase individual coverage will not only not get any more affordable but will most likely increase significantly.