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September 20, 2007Romney Refutes HillaryCareFor those of you wondering exactly how Senator Clinton's new health care plan, which features an individual mandate, differs from the plan that Mitt Romney created while governor of Massachusetts, which also featured an individual mandate, the wait is over. Governor Romney defends his own health care record - and takes on Senator Clinton's new proposal - on the Journal's op-ed page today: Let's be clear here: My plan in Massachusetts worked very differently than Sen. Clinton's plan would. First, we worked to reduce the burdens of regulation. The legislature insisted on more coverage mandates and regulation than I would have liked, but even so, less regulation has resulted in much lower premiums. Second, we used the money we were already getting from the federal government to help the poor purchase their own private insurance -- without new taxes or spending. And even the poor paid their fair share of their premiums. Third, with the help of the Heritage Foundation, we found a path for most individuals to purchase insurance with pre-tax dollars, just like people who get their coverage through their employers. And finally, once premiums had been lowered and the poor were able to afford private insurance, my plan called for people to either purchase insurance or pay their own way -- no more free riders. I like the plan I put forward in Massachusetts. But even so, I wouldn't do what Sen. Clinton does -- impose my way on every other state. Other states may borrow from what we did. Some will surely improve on it. But let's keep faith in federalism, in private markets and in individual responsibility. Posted by Paul Howard at September 20, 2007 09:54 AM CommentsPost a comment |
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