In a 1,000-word essay posted to her Facebook fan site late Saturday, Palin said the bill put forth by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus "attempts to offset the costs this will impose on insurance companies by requiring everyone to purchase coverage, which in theory would expand the pool of paying policy holders."

"However, the maximum fine for those who refuse to purchase health insurance is $750. Even factoring in government subsidies, the cost of purchasing a plan is much more than $750," she continued.

Palin asserted that young people will choose not to buy coverage, as a result, and will opt to pay the fine instead...