The first of the year marked the end of the ACA's individual mandate requiring Americans to gain health insurance or pay a fine. While the national mandate is gone, three states and the District of Columbia continue to require that citizens purchase health insurance.
Here are four things to know:
1. Massachusetts will continue to require most residents age 18 and older to have health insurance or pay a penalty through their tax returns. It has been state law since 2006.
2. Effective Jan. 1, New Jersey implemented an individual mandate for its residents, who face a tax penalty if they don't have coverage, according to Health Affairs. The District of Columbia also initiated its own individual mandate at the start of 2019.
3. In June 2018, Republican Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill into law mandating residents buy health insurance beginning in 2020.
4. While not in place, Maryland lawmakers are weighing a proposal to establish a state individual mandate to replace the federal requirement.
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