Romney's Latest Flip-Flop: His Own Health Care Plan

August 24, 2007

After months of flip-flopping to cover up his record as Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney is back in the Sunshine State today to roll out his so-called health care plan at the Florida Medical Association's Annual Meeting in Hollywood, FL. In his latest flip-flop, Romney's plan "departs significantly from the universal health care measure that he helped forge as governor of Massachusetts, reflecting the conservative audience he must now appeal to in order to win the Republican presidential nomination." [The New York Times, 8/24/07]

Mitt's plan is filled with political calculations, enabling him 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] His health care proposal shows that he is "altering sharply his approach to the issue," and his "delicate dance on health care is part of his more general political tack to the right." [Wall Street Journal, 8/24/07]

"Whether its immigration, health care or hunting, smooth talking Mitt Romney will change his position on just about anything to win over conservatives voters," said Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton. "And now he's running away from his own health care plan to score political points. Voters want a real leader who will tackle the tough issues facing this country, not someone who will flip-flop just to win. Americans have already rejected President Bush's ineffective health care initiatives, and Romney offers nothing more than four more years of the same failed policy."

Romney Runs Away From His Own Health Care Plan

Romney Distances Himself From Health Care Plan He Signed Into Law

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 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]