This isn't the latest political news. It's old news actually. The mandate idea originated in the socialist Heritage Foundation in 1989. See page 8.
http://healthcarereform.procon.org/sourcefiles/1989_assuring_affordable_health_care_for_all_americans.pdf
http://healthcarereform.procon.org/sourcefiles/1989_assuring_affordable_health_care_for_all_americans.pdf