In Mass., individual mandate sparks little outcry | Fox News

In Mass., individual mandate sparks little outcry | Fox News: "Massachusetts collected about $77 million in penalties from residents as a result the requirement from 2007-2009. While that may seem like a lot of money, the penalties have touched just a tiny fraction of the state's population of more than 6.5 million.

In 2007, about 67,000 people were required to pay a penalty. That declined to 53,000 in 2008 and 48,000 in 2009."

"In 2012, those making more than three times the poverty level — $32,676 for an individual — pay the highest penalty of $105 per month, or $1,260 per year."

"The intense focus on the federal mandate may be disproportionate to the number of people who could end up paying a penalty. "

Of course the rule of law and the government taking more rights doesn't affect the suggested focus. :-p