GAO-Encouraging Enrollment in Private Insurance Plans

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report outlining alternatives to the ACA's individual mandate provision by incentivizing consumers to voluntarily purchase private health insurance. GAO comprised a list of nine options that could encourage individuals to purchase health care coverage:

• Modifying open enrollment periods and imposing penalties for late enrollment
• Expanding employers' involvement in auto-enrollment
• Conducting a public education and outreach campaign
• Imposing a tax to pay for uncompensated care
• Provide broad access to personalized assistance for health coverage enrollment
• Allow greater variation in premium rates based on enrollee age
• Condition the receipt of certain government services upon proof of health insurance coverage
• Use health insurance agents and brokers differently
• Require or encourage credit rating agencies to use health insurance status as a factor in determining credit ratings.