2015 is the year of the mandate

◼ No aspect of President Obama’s healthcare law is more contentious than the requirement that individuals purchase health insurance the government deems acceptable or pay a penalty. - Philip Klein/Washington Examiner @philipklein

Even though the mandate won’t reach its peak for several years, the fact that Americans will be exposed to the mandate in a more tangible way this year will make it less abstract and provide an opening for the new Republican-controlled Senate.

As Americans become even more aware of the mandate when they file the taxes, Republicans can pass a bill to repeal it. Such a repeal isn’t likely to become law, but forcing Obama to veto it will reinforce his willingness to impose more government burdens on individuals for the sake of his healthcare scheme — helping Republicans make the case for why their nominee should take over the White House.

Along with Obama, insurance lobbyists will be fighting to keep the requirement that nearly every American purchase a comprehensive version of their product. This will provide Republicans an opportunity to demonstrate that they’re willing to take on powerful corporations on behalf of the little guy, while Democrats ally themselves with corporate lobbyists.