At the GOP debate Romney Defended His Massachusetts Healthcare Plan: He was asked “A year ago it seemed like you couldn’t wait to tell about your health care experiment in Massachusetts. It’s been criticized as something Hillary Clinton could be devised. You hardly mention it on your website. What’s changed? At the GOP debate Romney answered: “I love it. It’s a fabulous program. I’m delighted that in our state we worked together across the aisle to find a way to get health care for all of our citizens, it’s affordable and portable” [MSNBC, 5/3/07]

But Earlier This Year, Romney Distanced Himself From Health Care Plan. Mitt Romney distanced himself from his signature healthcare plan after potential hurdles emerged. Romney lowered expectations for the law he championed as governor. The healthcare plan offering near-universal health coverage was the centerpiece of Romney’s administration. Romney’s attempts to distance himself from the plan underscore how sensitive an issue the plan is with conservative audiences. The Boston Globe reports: “Many conservatives view the concept of requiring individuals to purchase health insurance, and penalizing some businesses that don’t offer it, as anathema to their principles.” [Boston Globe, 2/3/07]

Last Year, Romney Signed Landmark Healthcare Legislation. In 2006, Governor Mitt Romney signed landmark legislation today that would make health insurance available to every resident of Massachusetts within three years. Romney said, “An achievement like this comes around once in a generation, and it proves that government can work when people of both parties reach across the aisle for the common good. Today, Massachusetts is leading the way with health insurance for everyone, without a government takeover and without raising taxes.” [Governor Romney Press Release, 4/12/06]