Even if Newt wants this kind of plan (and it is constitutionally dubious, a matter that the USSC is hearing now) this does not seem to be like the Obamacare parallel at all, which would be like requiring auto insurance that changes your oil, overhauls your engine, etc.
I only commented on the individual mandate, not on any other parallels to Obamacare, if there are any. It seems to me that what most people focus on, with hating Obamacare/Romneycare, is that we are forced to participate or pay a fine. Newt’s idea isn’t really any different, and yet he is lauded as this wonderful conservative. But there’s nothing conservative about forcing people to purchase any kind of product. The three ideas are essentially the same.