Mitt Romney and Healthcare

 

 

During his 1994 run for the United States Senate, Romney indicated he would support a bill which included a federal health insurance mandate, asserting that he was “willing to vote for things that [he was] not wild with”

In 2006, Romney proposed and signed into law a private, market-based reform that ensures every Massachusetts citizen will have health insurance, without a government takeover and without raising taxes. Legislation, effective on July 1, 2007, requires health insurance for all state residents, provided a plan is available to the individual that is deemed affordable according to state standards. Employers with eleven or more employees are mandated to offer approved insurance plans for employees.

On August 22, 2007, Romney announced the formation of a committee of health care advisors that will help him define his health care plan.

On August 24, 2007, Romney unveiled his national health care plan. His plan allowed the states to choose individual health care plans for their fellow Americans

As of 2009, Romney supports increased health insurance portability, coverage of pre-existing medical conditions, a cap on malpractice lawsuits, the implementation of a streamlined electronic medical records system, an emphasis on preventative care, loosening restrictions on importation of prescription drugs, and tax benefits aimed at making health insurance more affordable for the uninsured and targeted to promote universal access. Romney opposes a federal government run, single-payer system, but supports state efforts to reduce the uninsured population

Romney opposed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Romney attacked the landmark legislation as “an unconscionable abuse of power” and said, “The act should be repealed.