Sarge, I disagree with one of your stats. The state of Wisconsin is not a state that requires mandatory auto insurance. I know this because I live in Illinois near the Wisconsin border; and there is an ongoing problem of Illinois residentscomplaining that since our cars can be siezed and towed for lack of insurance upon any traffic stop( Illinois does require mandatory auto insurance) what about people from Wisconsin who drive in Illinois?
I do agree about the mandatory health insurance; though. I think we would see a firestorm from the segment of society who will want to know who is to pay for it.
Your idea was actually bandied about in a focus group I belong to. However since I had experience in the insurance field, I probably popped a few balloons when I wanted to know how to insure,say, an elderly person with a history of heart problems. Current insurance rating sytems will dictate that this man is "high risk". If the insurance company were to insure this man, I can promise that his health premiums would be substantial. Now, we would be back to the part where we have to figure out how the elderly are to pay premiums such as this fictitious person would have forced to. Many are in this position as we speak.