Michael Cannon of the Cato Institute believes that Senator Marco Rubio’s plan for health-care reform would be politically ruinous for those opposed to Obamacare. He urges conservatives to embrace his plan — for “Large HSAs,” as they are known — as being far preferable, analytically and politically.

His argument is so weak that one is tempted to ignore it entirely. On the other hand, as recent events have made clear, it is best not to underestimate the appeal of empty but provocative political slogans which are never challenged.

Cannon’s contention is that Senator Rubio wants to impose a stealth form of Obamacare’s individual mandate. Cannon makes this argument even though Senator Rubio has made it clear he wants to repeal all of Obamacare, most particularly its requirement that all Americans buy government-approved health insurance. Cannon argues that Rubio would reimpose the mandate by giving people a refundable tax credit that they could use to purchase health insurance. Because tax filers would get the credit only if they purchased a health-insurance plan, Cannon says those eligible for the credit would face a mandate: either buy health insurance or pay higher income taxes by forgoing the credit.

Read the full article at National Review Online: No, Rubio’s Plan Does Not Include an Individual Mandate