Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney served as Massachusetts governor for one term from 2003 to 2007. Before he was elected governor, he was the president and CEO of the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games. He was born on March 12, 1947 in Detroit, Michigan.
Governor Romney's Health Care Plan
Romney pioneered the first health care overhaul in the country with legislation in Massachusetts that mandated all residents in the state obtain health insurance. But Romney would take a different approach in his reform for the U.S. health care system.
The Federalist Health Care Model
Romney's proposal is based upon the "federalist" model, which means the state governments would have the most say in how they would provide coverage for their uninsured residents. The theory of the federalist model says that it's impossible for just one system to work for the whole country.
His plan would redirect federal money that is currently being used to help states pay for the care of uninsured residents. Those funds would instead be given to states to help residents purchase their own plans in the private market.
More Competition, MOre Preventive Care
Romney would also urge states to reform and ease their regulations on insurance companies to bring in more competition into the market.
Primary care and preventive care are also important parts of Romney's plan. He wants to ensure that all Americans have access to routine physicals and check-ups to prevent serious illness before they happen.
Tax-Deductible Insurance Costs
Romney's proposal would make all individual insurance premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance fully tax-deductible. The former governor argues the tax system is unfair to those who have individual health plans — employer-sponsored coverage has these tax benefits. Individual plans do not.
Romney said he would not raise taxes to bring health care reform to America. He will also put a cap on punitive damages for medical liability suits.
Sources
New York Times: Romney to Pitch a State-by-State Health Insurance Plan
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/24/us/politics/24romney.html
Mitt Romney for President: Extending Health Insurance to All Americans
http://www.mittromney.com/Issue-Watch/Health_Care
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Health Plan Summary
Provide federal money for states to start their own coverage initiatives
Urge states to reduce insurance regulation
Expand access to preventive care for all Americans
Lower medical costs by capping damages in malpractice lawsuits