I'm sure I'll have more to say about the bill that passed today in Massachusetts requiring all state citizens to have some form of health insurance after I can track down more information on it. I'm already fairly certain I'll be strongly against it, but I want to be as open-minded as possible. It's hard, though, when reading this:

Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a bill Tuesday that would make Massachusetts the first state to require that all of its citizens have some form of health insurance.

The plan — hailed as a national model and approved just 24 hours after the final details were released — would dramatically expand access to health care over the next three years.
...

If all goes as the supporters hope, those already insured will see a modest drop in their premiums, lower-income residents will be offered new, more affordable plans and subsidies to help them pay for coverage, and those who can afford insurance but refuse will face increasing tax penalties until they obtain coverage.

"It's only fitting that Massachusetts would set forward and produce the most comprehensive, all-encompassing health care reform bill in the country," said House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, a Democrat. "Do we know whether this is perfect or not? No, because it's never been done before."

Have the legislators (and Gov. Mitt Romney) lost their minds? Release details and approve it with only two combined objections in the legislature 24 hours later? And take pride in it, despite its sweeping impact and unknown consequences? Brilliant. Just brilliant. I think we can all see that this experiment will botch everything health care related in Massachusetts, finally proving that the private insurance market can't handle the full impact of "protecting" every citizen. Thankfully, the government will be there to pick up the pieces or else Massachusetts would be screwed.

What's next, a requirement for universal home ownership? It's the American Dream, so who would complain?