The argument for the constitutionality of the individual mandate

As I stated in a previous post I don't love the individual mandate, but unlike Republicans I understand that it is necessary to accomplish the goals of providing better and cheaper health care while putting more money in peoples pockets.

The US Government has already proven that it has the constitutional right to mandate insurance (purchase a product) by mandating everyone who drives a car purchase insurance. But wait, you say. Not everyone has to drive a car so it is not the same. Well, not everyone has to use a hospital so it is the same.

If, however, you take the stance that everyone does have to use the hospital at some time then hospitals become part of the common good which means our tax dollars should cover it. There is already precedent for the common good argument set forth by the government since hospitals are required to see people in the emergency room regardless of their insurance status. Additionally the elderly don't get to opt out of Medicare, which means that at some point the government already has an individual mandate for people of a certain age. The only difference is that Medicare is a single payer system. But that doesn't change the fact that it is mandated and people are essentially charged for it in every pay check.