Americans may face higher penalties for not having insurance

Many people think they only have to pay a $95 penalty for not having insurance benefits this year, but National Public Radio reported fines may be higher.

Fox News reported health plan enrollment has not reached the level many in the federal government hoped for, and those without insurance may be facing larger penalties than they realize.

"I'd say the vast majority of people I've dealt with really believe that the penalty is only $95, if they know about it at all," Brian Haile, senior vice president for health policy at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, told NPR. "And when people find out [it could be more], they're stunned. It's much, much higher than they would expect."

Two-adult households where both people are uninsured could face a $190 fine, and if they have children it is even higher. This is because the penalty is either $95 or 1 percent of taxable income this year, so those with higher incomes could face much larger fees.

Brendon Buck, spokesman for the House Speaker, said low enrollment should prompt the government to postpone the penalty for this year.

"Given these dismal enrollment numbers, the president needs to work with Congress to get rid of this year's individual mandate penalty," Buck said, Fox News reported.