What does the Individual Mandate require individuals to do?

The Individual Mandate, part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), requires individuals to obtain health insurance or pay a penalty if they fail to do so. This provision was put in place to encourage widespread enrollment in health insurance plans, thereby helping to spread the risk and costs associated with health care across a larger segment of the population.

When individuals are covered by insurance, it can lead to better health outcomes and reduced overall healthcare costs, as more people have access to preventive care and necessary treatments. The penalty for not obtaining insurance serves as an incentive to comply with the mandate. Although there are specific exemptions where individuals can avoid the penalty, the primary goal of the Individual Mandate is to ensure that people take responsibility for their health care needs by either obtaining insurance or facing financial consequences for their choices.

The other options listed do not accurately reflect the purpose of the Individual Mandate, as they focus solely on specific types of coverage or accounts rather than the overarching requirement to obtain health insurance.