In the United States, individual health insurance is mandatory - or you will be fined when you file taxes. Of course everyone wants healthcare, so on the surface it's not too onerous to say that it's "mandatory". But, if you're not covered by an employer plan (because you were '''just laid off'''<ref>If you get laid off, check the Mass Health Connector for plans '''BEFORE''' signing up for COBRA - because the connector plans can be more affordable; and you're not eligible for connector plans if you're 'covered' by insurance (through COBRA).</ref>, self-employed, or work for a small employer with < 50 employees), then you must obtain health insurance on your own. It is rather insane to tie health benefits to employment when employment changes routinely - whereas healthcare is something that you want to be continuous, permanent, and stable over time.
==MassHealth==