The 212 Year Old Health Insurance Mandate

Dec 15th, 2010


by F. Grey Parker

In light of the debate following activist Judge Henry E. Hudson's wrongheaded and very dishonest ruling in the ongoing health care reform saga, there has been renewed hyperventilation over just what limits the federal government has and does not have to insist upon personal economic activity. Once again, I am am receiving blow-back over the alleged "overreach" of the "unprecedented" demands of the law.

It seems as good a time as any to revisit the actions of President John Adams.

From Salon:
"In July, 1798, Congress passed, and President John Adams signed into law “An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen,” authorizing the creation of a marine hospital service, and mandating privately employed sailors to purchase healthcare insurance.

This legislation also created America’s first payroll tax, as a ship’s owner was required to deduct 20 cents from each sailor’s monthly pay and forward those receipts to the service, which in turn provided injured sailors hospital care. Failure to pay or account properly was discouraged by requiring a law violating owner or ship's captain to pay a 100 dollar fine.

This historical fact demolishes claims of “unprecedented” and "The Constitution nowhere authorizes the United States to mandate, either directly or under threat of penalty...”

The debate continues...