Mitt's Millions Can't Buy Iowans Health Care Reform

November 20, 2007 -- On the same day the Los Angeles Times reported that cancer survivors could be left out of the leading Republican presidential candidates' health care proposals, smooth talking Mitt Romney is slated to discuss health care at Des Moines University today. According to the report, cancer survivors "could not be sure of getting coverage -- especially if they were not already covered by a government or job-related plan and had to seek insurance as individuals" under the plans offered by John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Fred Thompson. [Los Angeles Times, 11/20/07]

For his part, Romney has consistently failed to outline a clear vision for how he would help the 47 million Americans who lack health insurance. Instead, Romney has been working overtime to distance himself from the health care plan he championed as Massachusetts governor and called "a conservative victory" as recently as 2006. In the face of criticism from conservative activists, Romney now calls similar proposals "socialized medicine," despite the fact that health care experts say they are "just like the Massachusetts plan." [Boston Globe, 4/26/07; Reuters, 10/5/07]

Article continues below...

The new Mitt Romney has abandoned his old plan in favor of President Bush's failed health care agenda. Last month, Romney said he supported the President's decision to deny health care to 10 million children by vetoing Democratic efforts to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)--even though Romney himself expanded SCHIP funding as governor. [Kansas City Star, 10/2/07] Earlier this summer, Romney also recycled President Bush's failed plan for health savings accounts. [Washington Post "The Trail," 8/24/07]

Romney may not have a health care agenda of his own, but he does have a plan for using his vast personal fortune to woo leading conservative activists and interest groups. According to the Boston Globe, Romney's charitable foundation gave tens of thousands of dollars to "organizations influential in Republican circles last year." [Boston Globe, 11/20/07] This follows earlier reports that Romney gave $25,000 to the conservative Heritage Foundation in 2005, months before the Foundation's experts publicly supported Romney's Massachusetts health care plan. [New York Times, 3/11/07]

"Smooth talking Mitt Romney seems to think he can spread the wealth around and charm Republican primary voters and caucus-goers into ignoring the fact that he refuses to offer clear answers on issues like health care, immigration reform or the war in Iraq," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "Running from his own record and rehashing President Bush's failed leadership is hardly the brand of leadership the American people are looking for in their next president."

Source: DNC