>Why would you force someone to buy something that they do not want or need? I did not carry health insurance until I was well into my >40's - except for when my employer provided it. And I never needed it when I did not have it either.

I see your point of view and I am against anything that is forced onto people but most companies offer HMO choices for which the premium is extremely low, hence very affordable. I remember when I started working that the HMO option the employer gave was either free or below USD 50 per pay period.