PS: Heritage has back-tracked from their position
Heritage did back track - which is important but is only half the point. The other half of the point is that Heritage’s mandate was based on self responsibility and Obama Care’s is based on control. Heritages gave a lot of options, including Heath Savings Accounts and high deductible plans or simple proof of ability to pay - Obama Care (and probably Romney Care) gives very few options.
So there’s two huge points there.
In 2006, Romney introduced a universal health care bill (which passed the Legislature in a slightly amended version) which has been criticized by conservatives as being socialistic.
"Republican Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is trying to accomplish in his final year in office what Democrats can only dream of these days: boosting government spending on and regulation of health care and requiring individuals to purchase government-designed policies. Romney's plan, which is backed by such liberals as Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, Mass.), is being pitched as a compact between citizens and the state."
- National Review Online, 1/26/2006
"The main supporter and cheerleader of Romney's health plan has been, interestingly, the Heritage Foundation. However, there would appear to be just a bit of a conflict of interest in that. According to news reports, Romney's charitable foundation recently donated $25,000 to the Heritage Foundation. And Heritage Foundation helped Romney research and write his health plan."
- Boston Globe, 8/17//2006