What is the consequence for people who did not meet the health coverage deadline?

The consequence for individuals who did not meet the health coverage deadline under the Affordable Care Act is the Shared Responsibility Payment to the IRS. This payment, often referred to as the individual mandate penalty, was designed to encourage all Americans to obtain health insurance coverage.

If individuals went without qualifying health coverage for more than a certain number of months in a year, they were required to pay a penalty when filing their federal tax return. This penalty was intended to incentivize enrollment in health insurance plans and to help sustain the healthcare system by ensuring a larger, healthier pool of insured individuals.

In previous years, failing to secure coverage could lead to an additional financial burden rather than just an inconvenience, highlighting the ACA’s goal to increase the number of insured citizens and improve overall public health. While some may have qualified for exemptions from this mandate, for those who did not, the financial implication was clear, and it was a significant part of the ACA's approach to reforming the healthcare landscape.