Individual mandate

I believe that Hawaii and Massachusetts both have a mandate that citizens must purchase health insurance. As I understand it the logic behind such a move is that by expanding the pool of citizens that are covered that more healthy people are included which allows companies to spread costs and reduce prices. To make this work everyone has to purchase more comprehensive insurance rather than cheaper, more limited coverage with higher deductibles.

A commenter on the Marginal Revolution blog discusses how this has impacted his personal situation:

And, I still cannot buy a private plan in Massachusetts. The State forces me to buy hair replacement treatment insurance among a host of things I do not want insurance for, and I cannot purchase a high deductible plan—it is illegal.

Doesn't strike me as the optimal way to go.