Contrary to spin, Romneycare had almost nothing to do with obamacare. Here are the differences: Romneycare was applicable to only to one state. Obamacare is a one size fits all approach for the entire nation (in violation of the 10th Amendment). Romney care was EXTREMELY limited in scope. At the time Romneycare was passed in MA, only 8% of the people in that state lacked health coverage. Romneycare impacted only them, not the 92% already covered. Yes, Romneycare did in fact mandate everyone in the state have health coverage-—states CAN do this-—they do require all drivers to obtain auto insurance. For those who could not afford health insurance, Romneycare REDIRECTED funds ALREADY allocated to the state through Medicaid to help lower income people purchase private health insurance. Romneycare received permission from the GWB Administration to reallocate these funds ALREADY appropriated to the state through the Medicaid program. Romneycare therefore got almost everyone in MA covered WITHOUT raising taxes or increasing the size of government....which is far more than we could ever say about Obamacare. Romneycare was extremely LIMITED in scope. It was only applicable to the few people in MA who lacked coverage and who were gaming the system——walking into hospitals, receiving care and treatment, then leaving the taxpayers and rate payers stuck with the bill.
Romneycare Advisers Went to WH to be Obamacare Advisers
By W. James Antle, III on 10.12.11 @ 9:26AM
Records show that Mitt Romney aides met a dozen times with the White House to discuss health care reform, according to reports that are sure to refocus attention on the similarities between Obamacare and Romneycare. The Massachusetts health care plan Romney signed into law was an inspiration for the federal legislation, signed by Barack Obama, that the Republican frontrunner has pledged to have repealed.
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/10/12/romneycare-advisers-went-to-wh
Ruck Fomney.
Is that you, Karl?
This is like arguing that the Massachusetts decision to impose gay marriage on the state had nothing to do with the surge to legalize gay marriage across the country and its general acceptance by the Republican Establishment. Romneycare legitimized—in the minds of the RINOs—the concept of government control of the medical industry.