My wife downloaded the entire bill last year and read it. I exempts Muslims and Amish from having to have insurance or the mandate. Why everyone else? If Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, etc, go to court and as for exemptions, would they get it also? In the bill, it says a panel would decide who is qualified to get what. (Death panels), it is in there plain as day, just not called that. For example, if there is only one pacemaker available for a 40 year old and an 80 year old, the younger gets it first. Doesn't matter who was first in line or what insurance they have. Younger get first dibs on transplants, or any other needs. Basically rationed care. Also, if you don't get insurance, they can fine you. Fine amounts have not yet been determined. All medical and dental records must be electronic and accessable by any doctor or the GOVERNMENT panel nationwide. So much for patient confidentiality. It has a ton of flaws, mandates, and government oversite (bureaucracy the gets bloated and costs a lot). If you get off the grid and need a doctor, you could be jailed or fined. This is NOT freedom.
Tweeking Medicare and Medicaid, allowing insurance companies to cross state lines, limiting mal-practice, not being turned down for pre-existing conditions, allowing you to choose your deductable amount and co-pay ammount to cut costs like care or home owners insurance, are steps in the right direction. Lots of things can be done to tweek and cut costs without mandates, without a bloated government bureauracy.