Critics say it may be unconstitutional to charge a penalty for not buying a product. Supporters compare the mandate to car insurance requirements.

Opinion by the Los Angeles Times

In more than a dozen statehouses across the country, a small but growing group of lawmakers is pressing for state constitutional amendments that would outlaw a crucial element of the health care plans under discussion in Washington: the requirement that nearly everyone buy insurance or pay a penalty. NOTE: Free registration with nytimes.com is required to view this article.

With lawmakers reluctant to limit what insurers may charge, there's little to slow soaring premiums. Coupled with millions of new customers, that adds up to higher costs for taxpayers and consumers.

Senior Republicans challenged Democratic plans to require nearly all people to carry health insurance.

Opinion by Jamie Court

President Barack Obama says requiring people to get health insurance and fining them if they don't would not amount to a backhanded tax increase.

Obama appeals to those under 30, who would be required to pay for health insurance coverage.

People like Ron Norton show how difficult it could be to bring into the insurance pool the millions of consumers who make too much money to qualify for assistance, yet not enough to bear the full cost of new policies on their own.

A Proposed Requirement That All Americans Have Policies Has Broad Support Among Reformers.