Mitt Romney: Romney's Political Prescription Still Includes Running From His Health Care Record

August 28, 2007 -- Mitt Romney continued his shameless political calculations on health care reform today. At the 10th Annual Mission Conference of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure this morning, Romney tried to position himself as a champion of universal health coverage, claiming that he will "fight to get every person in this country health insurance." [Associated Press, 8/28/07] But, like on so many issues in this campaign, Romney's most recent rhetoric stands in stark contrast to his contrived and confusing litany of flip-flops on the campaign trail.

While Romney sometimes brags about passing health care reform in Massachusetts, he has sought to distance himself from the program in the face of conservative criticism by refusing to endorse it as a national model. Romney also said during a nationally televised debate on August 5 that tax exemptions are not the way to provide health insurance to every American, but just two weeks later outlined a plan to use tax exemptions to expand health coverage. [Wall Street Journal, editorial, 8/27/07] Worse still, the health care plan Romney unveiled last week in Florida rehashes President Bush's failed plan for health savings accounts.

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The real goal of Mitt Romney's rhetorical contortions on health care is a politically calculated campaign to "avoid answering questions on whether he would require all Americans to purchase insurance -- a provision in the Massachusetts law he signed into law that might not be well received by GOP voters." [Washington Post, 8/24/07]

"Smooth talking Mitt Romney may think he can use health care to score cheap political points, but his blatant flip-flops and pandering are not a prescription for the kind of health care reform the American people want," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "While Romney is busy running from his own health care record and rehashing President Bush's failed agenda, the American people are looking for a real leader who is willing to tackle the tough issues facing this country."

Romney Runs Away From His Own Health Care Plan

Romney Wants Conservatives to Ignore His Liberal Record on Health Care. "But as the former governor of the liberal state aims to win the Republican presidential nomination with conservative votes, he is altering sharply his approach to the issue....On health-care reform, the bipartisan support Mr. Romney garnered in Massachusetts isn't likely to help him with Republican primary voters the same way it might in a general election, where attracting independent voters is important." [Wall Street Journal, 8/24/07]

Romney Health Care Conflicts with New Tax Reform Agenda. "Mr. Romney's Bay State legacy is now praised by liberals as a prototype for national policy. That's done a great deal to set back the kind of tax reform that he now espouses. The issue for GOP primary voters to consider is why he went in such a different direction in Boston…. Yet his willingness to compromise in Massachusetts on core matters of principle, and then trumpet those statist policies as a 'free-market' solution, raises questions about how far and easily he'd bend to a Democratic Congress." [Wall Street Journal, 8/27/07]

Romney Distances Himself From Health Care Plan. "With signs emerging that his signature health care 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]

Romney's Record Unpopular with Conservatives

Wall Street Journal Editorial Board says Romney's Health Plan Doesn't Pass Conservative Smell-Test. "[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 Editorial Board Calls Romney's Health Plan "Frankenstein's Monster of Tax Penalties."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]

Romney Rehashing Rejected Bush Health Care Plan

Romney Plan Similar to Failed Bush Plan. "Like both President Bush and another GOP candidate, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Romney would create tax benefits for people who buy their own private insurance. He would also reduce the requirements that states and the federal government put on private plans, a measure Republicans agree will make private insurance cheaper." [Washington Post "The Trail" 8/24/07]

Source: DNC