This, exactly this. The baddies ignore the healer like they always did, only difference is now, they blow everything up, regardless of the healer.
Healing PVP in TOR was more challenging than many other MMO's I've played over the years ... in some of those games, I tanked 5+, while keeping my teammates up, and never batting an eye.
A single solid DPS'r, pre 1.2 could keep you locked down ... forget your teammates. Yeah I could tank baddies, and heal my team, not denying that.
Even without healing, the TTL was longer prior to 1.2 ... now its just a matter of whoever has their burst CD's up ... blow your CD's, kill someone, turn around, get blown up by the next guy ... spawn, rinse, repeat.
To get back to your quoted statement ... Pre 1.2, DPS was never optional.
They changed the entire premise of PVP in this game in the blink of an eye ... it almost feels like an act of desperation on BW's part.
Its funny as hell, they sold this pvp system on a long TTL ... nerfed Operatives/Scoundrels because they performed outside that premise ... and then turned everything on its head with this patch. Operatives/Scoundrels are nerfed beyond recognition, while Marauders/Sentinels are now blowing folks up in the blink of an eye. Oh the irony!