The Baucus Plan requires all American citizens to have health care coverage. The Plan does not propose a specific enforcement mechanism or penalty for the uninsured.
The Massachusetts Plan requires all state residents to have health insurance. The state will provide insurance to those who cannot afford it. Those who can afford insurance but remain uninsured incur a flexible tax penalty.
The Vermont Plan does not mandate its residents to obtain health insurance. The Plan proposes measures to make health insurance accessible to all citizens. If over 96% of Vermont residents have health insurance by 2010, the measures will be considered a success. If not, the plan requires that the State Legislature consider implementing a “health care requirement” in 2011.
The Obama Plan does not require that all Americans obtain health insurance. It does require that all children have health care coverage. It seeks to make health insurance accessible enough so that everyone who wants to be covered can be.
The Canadian system offers health care coverage to every Canadian citizen from birth. Access to free primary care and hospital care is universal. Supplementary care – vision, dental and prescription drugs – is free for children, seniors and welfare recipients.