ObamaCare, RomneyCare and Presidential Politics
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Healthcare reform is being used as a campaign issue against President Obama and against Republican challenger, Mitt Romney. Obama's plan is only partially in effect. On this archived edition of To the Point, what's the history of the plan Romney established five years ago when he was governor of Massachusetts? (Since we first broadcast this program in July, the US Supreme Court has agreed to hear challenges to the Obama healthcare plan.) Also, the worst predictions for 2011, and that familiar background music in political campaign commercials.
Banner image: Then Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney signs into law a new healthcare reform bill on April 12, 2006 in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Making News
The Worst Predictions for 2011 ()
We catch up with Joshua Keating of Foreign Policy magazine for a look at the worst predictions for 2011.
Guests:
- Joshua Keating: Foreign Policy, @joshuakeating
Main Topic
ObamaCare, RomneyCare and Presidential Politics ()
The US Supreme Court will make a decision on healthcare reform before the next presidential election, but Republicans plan to use it against President Obama whatever the Court decides in the meantime. The federal reforms Republicans call "ObamaCare" are similar to the plan adopted when Mitt Romney was Governor of Massachusetts — and that could cost him his party's nomination. Neither plan originated with liberal Democrats. In fact, they're based on the ideas of conservatives, who want to retain private insurance. But after five years, how is the Massachusetts plan working? What about cost, outcomes and access to quality care?
Guests:
- Amy Lischko: Tufts University School of Medicine
- Joanna Galias Sese: resident of Massachusetts
- Jon B. Hurst: Retailers Association of Massachusetts
- Uwe Reinhardt: Princeton University
- Thomas Miller: American Enterprise Institute
Reporter's Notebook
The American Music behind Campaign Ads ()
During the recent Republican presidential campaign, TV ads have been ubiquitous, including background music that sounds very familiar. Alex Ross is music critic for the New Yorker magazine.
Guests:
- Alex Ross: New Yorker magazine
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