What was one of the intended outcomes of the individual mandate?

One of the intended outcomes of the individual mandate was to increase insurance coverage and spread costs. The individual mandate, a key provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), required most individuals to have health insurance or pay a penalty. This approach aimed to broaden the pool of insured individuals, which would include healthier people who might otherwise choose not to purchase insurance. By increasing the number of people in the insurance pool, especially healthier individuals, the risk and costs of healthcare were distributed more evenly. This helped to lower premiums and make insurance more affordable for everyone, as the costs associated with care would be shared across a larger demographic, reducing the financial burden on any one group.

This outcome is significant in achieving overall health system goals, as a larger, more diverse insurance pool can lead to better access to care and improved health outcomes, as well as stabilizing the insurance market.