Romney Even Running From His Own Health Care Plan
Smooth talking Mitt Romney is so committed to his campaign to win the Republican presidential nomination by talking his way out of his record that he's even willing to run away from his signature health care plan. While the plan was once considered "the centerpiece of Romney's administration" and "a key part of his presidential resume," Romney "has begun to distance himself" from the plan in the face of conservative skepticism of the plan, skyrocketing costs for consumers, and new reports that the plan will force some 200,000 Bay Staters who already have health insurance to buy more. [Boston Globe, 2/3/07]
After a barrage of reports criticizing the plan, "Romney has subtly lowered expectations for the law he championed as governor" on the campaign trail.' This is in large part because, "many conservatives view the concept of requiring individuals to purchase health insurance -- and penalizing some businesses that don't offer it -- as anathema to their principles." [Boston Globe, 2/3/07] Key conservative voices have also criticized the plan as a "Frankenstein’s monster of tax penalties" and "a recipe for higher taxes and more government intervention." [Washington Times, 4/6/06; Wall Street Journal, 4/12/06]
"Nothing is safe from smooth talking Mitt Romney's unrelenting campaign to talk his way out of his record, not even his own signature health care plan," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "No matter how hard he tries, Romney can't hide his tax raising record on health care or the fact that his only true loyalties are to his presidential aspirations."
What Romney's Running from Now
His Health Care Plan
Romney Distances Himself From Health Care Plan. "With signs emerging that his signature healthcare plan faces hurdles, former governor Mitt Romney has begun to distance himself from the new law...At recent political appearances, Romney has subtly lowered expectations for the law he championed as governor...The plan for statewide, near-universal health coverage was the centerpiece of Romney's administration, and it has become a key part of his presidential resume...Romney's recent comments underscore how sensitive an issue the plan is with conservative audiences, whose support is crucial to his presidential aspirations. Many conservatives view the concept of requiring individuals to purchase health insurance - and penalizing some businesses that don't offer it - as anathema to their principles." [Boston Globe, 2/3/07]
Wall Street Journal: Romney's Health Plan Will Lead to Higher Taxes, More Government Intervention. "[Romney's health insurance] law is far from the market-based approach the Governor claimed... the state is forcing people to buy insurance many will need subsidies to afford, which is a recipe for higher taxes and more government intervention down the road." [Editorial, Wall Street Journal, 4/12/06]
Washington Times: Romney's Health Plan "Frankenstein's Monster of Tax Penalties" and Expanded Government Programs. Romney's health insurance plan "is a Frankenstein's monster of tax penalties, expanded government-insurance programs and unfunded mandates." [Editorial, Washington Times, 4/6/06]
Sticker Shock: Romney Health Plan to Cost Almost Twice Romney's Estimates. "A state panel says a package filling the minimum requirements for coverage under the state's new health insurance will cost $380 a month on average for an individual, almost twice what former Gov. Mitt Romney projected... Advocates for the uninsured were stunned at the proposed price, which they said could undermine the goal of universal coverage. John McDonough, executive director of Health Care for All, an advocacy group that supports the health law, called the price 'a significant disappointment...' Romney had projected monthly costs at $200 when he first proposed universal coverage. And based on information from actuaries reviewed by the board last fall, the panel had expected to get plans with a premium of about $260." [Boston Globe, 1/20/07]
Romney Plan Could Force 200,000 Insured Bay Staters to Buy Even More or Face Fine. "More than 200,000 people with health insurance would have to buy additional coverage to meet proposed minimum standards under the state's new health insurance law, according to a count completed by insurers yesterday... Individuals would face a fine of about $200 next year and more in future years, if they do not have insurance that meets the standards. 'It's very troubling,' said Richard Lord, president of Associated Industries of Massachusetts and a member of the Connector board. 'The new law was about expanding access for people without any health insurance. I don’t think we should be forcing people who do have some coverage to spend more.'"[Boston Globe, 1/30/07]
