Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney told University of Michigan College Republicans Thursday that he was “proud” of the health care reform plan he persuaded state legislators to pass in 2006 because it “was a state solution to a state problem.” Obamacare, on the other hand, he argued, was “a power grab by the federal government to put in place a one-size-fits-all plan across the nation.” Romney was right that Romneycare applied only to Massachusetts, while the whole nation is stuck with Obamacare, at least for now. But he is wrong on just about everything else on this crucial issue. The reality that Romney cannot avoid and will not be allowed to ignore during the 2012 presidential campaign is that Obamacare and Romneycare are essentially identical. Both force individuals to obtain health insurance. Both force health insurance companies to insure everyone at virtually the same price. Both provide tax-paid subsidies to individuals to help pay for health insurance. Both expand Medicaid to provide health insurance for those who still can’t afford it after receiving government premium subsidies.
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