Under Obama's health plan, could healthy people opt...

[IndianaJones]

out and not pay into the plan?

[Hieronymus]

1. What fool would opt out?

[dragonlady]

2. How long would your city's fire department last if taxpayers could opt out?

:shrug:

[caligirl]

3. his plan has mandates like the others, Edwards is the only one that is

leaving out the insurance industry, but his has mandates too.

[sandnsea]

6. "once these steps have been taken"

Once these steps have been taken, requiring all American residents to get insurance.

He doesn't put mandates at the front end either, I really don't know why he's implied that he would. He also is not leaving out the insurance industry at all. Why do you need tax credits to make insurance affordable if he's leaving out the insurance industry?

Requiring businesses and other employers to either cover their employees or help finance their health insurance.
Making insurance affordable by creating new tax credits, expanding Medicaid and SCHIP, reforming insurance laws, and taking innovative steps to contain health care costs.
Creating regional "Health Care Markets" to let every American share the bargaining power to purchase an affordable, high-quality health plan, increase choices among insurance plans, and cut costs for businesses offering insurance.

Read It
http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/health-care/

[killbotfactory]

4. Have you ever had to be without health insurance?

I have, and it's one of the worst feelings in the world to be sick and know you can't afford to see a doctor.

The only people who wouldn't buy a plan if we make it affordable, would be stupid healthy young people, who would just ignore a mandate anyway.

[sandnsea]

5. He believes people will do the right thing if they can afford it

If he doesn't get everybody in, he'll consider alternatives including mandates. He's alreay said that. He hopes to create a plan people want to have though.