the individual mandate was imposed to keep an even keel. it was the compromise to forcing insurers to no longer ask/decline due to pre-existing conditions. presumably adding younger and healthy policy holders will keep insurance companies from going under because they have to take on higher risk customers as well.
another plus-if everyone has insurance, it's felt that hospital bills will decrease, as they won't have to charge huge rates to help pay the bad debt of those with no ability to pay, another positive for insurance companies.
far as i know, the only thing they can charge more for is tobacco use.
however, the health insurers used to use five different age bands to set rates. now it's only three, which puts the younger at a disadvantage, they won't get a rate break, but will be in with older people than before.
of course, many things work in theory, on paper. in practice? that remains to be seen.
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