Maine?s Susan Collins: a health care hero, now branded a villain
![Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and other senators rush to the chamber to vote on amendments as the Republican leadership works to craft their sweeping tax bill in Washington.](www_bostonglobe_com/rf/image_r/Boston/2011-2020/2017/12/07/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/447563061c2e4811a388396934b98144-447563061c2e4811a388396934b98144-0.r.jpg)
Associated Press/J. Scott Applewhite, File
What dismayed health care advocates is part of the tax-cut legislation that wipes out a fundamental element of the ACA: the ?individual mandate,? which requires that all Americans either purchase insurance or pay a tax penalty.