What is the individual mandate?

The individual mandate is an important component of California health insurance law. It is a requirement that every individual who lives in California must have a certain minimum level of health insurance coverage. Those who do not have health insurance are required by law to purchase a policy or pay a penalty. The individual mandate is a direct result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed in 2010. The ACA requires that all states provide a health insurance marketplace for individuals and families to shop for and purchase comprehensive health insurance policies. California decided to extend the individual mandate to its residents, requiring everyone to have a minimum level of health coverage or incur a penalty. The penalty for not having health insurance in California is usually a fine or a percentage of one’s income, whichever amount is greater. The penalty is set by the California Department of Insurance and is reviewed annually. The individual mandate helps ensure that all California residents have access to comprehensive health coverage and that everyone is paying their fair share for this important service. The individual mandate has helped to reduce the number of uninsured individuals in California and increase the number of people receiving subsidized coverage. While this requirement can be seen as an inconvenience by some, it is an important part of California health insurance laws and helps to provide coverage to those who would otherwise go without.

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What is the individual mandate?

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