Romney Offers Preview of Responses to Ruling on Health Reform Law
On Tuesday, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney previewed his possible responses to the Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of the federal health reform law, the New York Times' "The Caucus," reports (Parker, "The Caucus," New York Times, 6/26).
The high court is expected to deliver its decision in the case against the federal health reform law on Thursday (California Healthline, 6/25).
Romney's Comments
During a speech at a campaign stop in Salem, Va., Romney said that if the overhaul is struck down, President Obama's time in office "will have been wasted on something that has not helped the American people" ("The Caucus," New York Times, 6/26).
Romney's comments echo recent criticisms that Obama has focused more on legislative priorities -- such as the overhaul -- than on the economy, according to Wall Street Journal's "Washington Wire" (Murray, "Washington Wire," Wall Street Journal, 6/26).
Should the high court uphold the overhaul, Romney said, "We're going to have to have a president, and I'm that one, that's going to get rid of ObamaCare" ("The Caucus," New York Times, 6/26). He said his plan to replace the health reform law would "get us back to personal responsibility and states' rights as it relates to health care."
Romney has defended the health reform law he implemented as governor of Massachusetts, and has said states, not the federal government, should regulate health insurance (West, Los Angeles Times' "Politics Now," 6/26).
Ruling Could Complicate Romney's Strategy
A decision to overturn the overhaul could complicate Romney's strategy, according to "Washington Wire."
In that case, Romney and congressional Republicans could face increased pressure to offer more specific plans about their health reform plans ("Washington Wire," Wall Street Journal, 6/26).
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