Does Universal Health require an amendment?

[Roadhouse158]

Does anyone know for a fact, if the Universal Health Care plan would require a constitutional amendment. I am not clear on this issue. If any one knows, please respond.

[Mr. P]

Did the social security tax need one? Nope. So why not tax you for your health care?
Whatca gonno do John Q?

[Little-Acorn]

Does anyone know for a fact, if the Universal Health Care plan would require a constitutional amendment. I am not clear on this issue. If any one knows, please respond.

Yes, it would. The Fed govt is forbidden by the Constitution to exercise any powers that aren't explicity named in the Constitution itself. The power to run insurance programs (which is really all the "Universal Health Care" scheme is) is not listed. So if the govt wanted to start doing it legally, they would need an amendment to the Constitution.

That doesn't stop the government these days, of course, and hasn't for at least the last 70 years. Social Security, Welfare, Railroad Retirement and a host of other programs are similarly forbidden, but the govt just went ahead and started them anyway.

The situation has gotten so bad that, if the government were to suddenly start obeying all laws (including the Constitution), there would be a massive upheaval. It's something the big-govt addicts are counting on: That people won't WANT the govt to stop giving them goodies, no matter how illegal they are.