The only way to have coverage for everyone in the US -short of hillarycare federal directed medical coverage (socialized medicine)- is to have some subsidized insurance method allowing IRS credits. It will be reality in a decade, if America continues to exist. The Mass example can be instructive as it plays out.
You are right, and the Romney plan was nearly identical to the plan proposed by Newt Gingrich on his website (before the liberal Mass legislature made some changes). Both Newt and Romney understand something's got to give and they have the ideas to get it done.