Romney's Health Care Administrator Moves to ObamaCare

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Health Care ,; Republicans

(Credit: AP)

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has tried to distance his state health care reforms from President Obama's recently-enacted national reforms, but his case may be a bit harder to make now.

Jon Kingsdale was appointed by Romney in 2006 to run the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, which operates the state exchange that serves as a health insurance marketplace for Massachusetts citizens. Kingsdale announced Thursday that he is stepping down from that position to pursue opportunities in implementing the national reforms, according to reports.

The national health care legislation requires all states to establish exchanges like the one in Massachusetts. And like the Massachusetts plan, the new law requires everyone to purchase health insurance either through the exchanges or by some other means.

"We should all feel very proud of having created the model for national health reform," Kingsdale wrote in his resignation letter, the Washington Post reports. "The power of the Bay State's example is enormously consequential. I believe that national reform would not have happened without it."

Romney, a former GOP presidential contender and possible 2012 candidate, has insisted his plan is different from Mr. Obama's, mainly because the Massachusetts plan was state-based. He has even called the implementation of the individual mandate, found in both plans, possibly unconstitutional at the federal level.

Nevertheless, the White House has called the Massachusetts plan "the template for what we're trying to do here." Romney also came under fire during the debate over abortion language in the national health care bill because his plan allowed government-subsidized insurance packages to cover abortion, as mandated by state law.

If Romney were to win the GOP nomination for the presidency in 2012, it would be nearly impossible for him to criticize Mr. Obama for health care reform now that Kingsdale is transitioning to federal work, contends Philip Klein at the conservative American Spectator.

"Imagine a debate in which Romney tries to attack the national health care law," he wrote. "Obama could respond, 'Not only are the two plans quite similar, but I appointed the same man who Romney himself appointed to run the health care program he created in Massachusetts.'"

Romney's presidential ambitions could also sabotage the GOP's health care repeal efforts, Klein writes.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by Stevenapoli7 April 25, 2010 3:31 AM EDT: Before we proceed further down the road to government meddling in health care, let's see what happens to our taxes once we are done soaking the successful. My family is from Hungary...check out their Medicare and Social Security taxes compared to ours.

U.S.: 7.45%/ 7.45% employee/ employer (1.45 + 6.2 = 7.45)

Hungary: 17%/ 28.5%

This European style government subsidized health care that Obama, Pelosi, Krugman and his ilk support leads to long wait times, poor conditions, and you end up going to the doctor's private practice after work and pay cash anyway. Classic lose-lose situation which the U.S. will learn about first hand coming soon.; Reply to this comment


by chitown639 April 16, 2010 8:12 PM EDT: It's funny how the Republicans of the past wouldn't stand a chance in the Republican Party of today. Nixon, Reagan, Bush I would all be considered liberal republicans today. Even the retiring supreme court Justice Stevens, appointed by a Republican now considered a liberal, he really didn't change his views, the Republican party changed over the years by moving further and further to the right.

Romney won't stand a chance today because the Republicans are purging their party of anyone remotely moderate.....; Reply to this comment


by MurdochSucks April 16, 2010 7:32 PM EDT: He lost the 2008 primary to John McCain; he didn't stand a chance before the health care reform bill. Enough said.; Reply to this comment


by fxr60 April 16, 2010 5:36 PM EDT: Romney tried it and it is NOT a good plan to have national healthcare forced on anyone, no matter who is president. People should see how Massachusetts has the highest insurance in the nation and just heard the emergency room attendance has WENT UP, not down. It doesn't work! As Dr. DeBakey once said "I have traveled the globe to developed and undeveloped countries with both democratic and communistic goverments and I can say unequivocally that the univeral health system in all countries there are long delays for treatment, sometimes with fatal consequences. In fact, rationing of care is a prominent feature of these systems". Who wants that?; Reply to this comment


by Jason_Clearbrook April 16, 2010 4:57 PM EDT: Doors are already closing. I don't blame any doctor who says it is now time to retire. They will loose money if they stay in business!

?Insurance prices in the state are, in fact, the highest in the nation. But it turns out it has nothing to do with ?greed? ? all of the state?s main insurers are non-profits, and all of them operated at a loss last year. In response to the organizations? refusal to sell more policies, the government plans to force them to continue offering government-approved plans at government-approved prices; a sure recipe for bankruptcy.

And on top of the myriad of problems caused by government-induced market distortions, another under-reported issue that will compound the doctor-shortage crisis is the fact that they might not be willing to cooperate. There is a growing rebellion among doctors who are simply refusing to continue practicing under the new ?ObamaCare? regime. A poll conducted by Investor?s Business Daily revealed that ? contrary to government propaganda ? an astonishing two thirds of doctors were opposed to the ?reform.? Worse still, 45 percent said they would consider quitting if it passed. And the wave of resignations has already begun?

That is a quote about Massachusetts' version of Obamacare and coments about the current demonic Obamacare just waking up HUNGRY and requiring IMMEDIATE SACRIFICE! I don't blame those Doctors at all. Get out while the getting is good!

http://www.jbs.org/jbs-news-feed/6209-obamacare-doctor-shortages-and-rationing

KILL OBAMACARE!!!; Reply to this comment


by Jason_Clearbrook April 16, 2010 4:49 PM EDT: @Len_RI:

Sorry, but wrong. True, explicit repeal requires almost an overwhelming victory in 2010 elections, and the Senate seems statistically out of reach. In normal times, I'd say yes, you are probably correct. However, although it won't happen in November, more than the typical 1/3 Senators may be at risk. Why? Because the States retain the ability to RECALL their representatives. Some states already have procedures to do so. Get a Republican Majority in the State Legislature that can do it, and some Democrats may be up for Recall elections. If the state has no such rules, but CAN AMEND *THEIR* constitutions to do so, even more seats can be put at risk. With that, albeit long shot, possibility in mind, just HOW MAD are you and people like you willing to make the opposition? 58% of Americans favor repeal right now, and that number is GROWING as the effects of Obamacare are making themselves felt. 50% strongly want that repeal. THAT signals EXTREME RISK!

If not done peacefully, are you really of the mind set that your opinion alone can avert violent response? Go read the statistics on Murders involving people upset about abortions, gay rights, or cruelty to animals for a start. It is simply stunning to find out how many people are KILLED for treating their animals badly! Do they deserve it? Not relevant to this discussion, my friend, so I won't say.

The last time that ONE PARTY voted this unilaterally against the EXPRESS WILL of the people, that Political Party disappeared, and we had a Civil War! I'd like to think that we could avoid that, but back then, they had no thought that it could happen, until it suddenly did!

Your opinion is just that. It is NOT fact, despite your "holier than the unwashed masses" attitude. I don't think for one second that you have any idea what is best for me. So don't try to tell me. Talk to the hand!

Oh, and for EFFECTIVE repeal, all you have to do is NOT FUND Obamacare -- simple enough to do. In fact, it is called BUDGET RECONCILIATION in some circles and can specifically earmark every dollar to PROHIBIT Obama for spending one stinking penny where he is not supposed to! That is using BUDGET RECONCILAITION properly, to kill that mishappen monstrosity that was given life only by virtue of misuse of the same procedure.

OBAMACARE MUST DIE, and YES WE CAN!!!

;'{P~~~; Reply to this comment


by Jason_Clearbrook April 16, 2010 4:24 PM EDT: I think Romney understands the problem that his Healthcare Plan in MA is going to give him. He is going to spin that his plan was different, and see if he can make it fly. Short term, he might make that work. However, I would caution that anyone who SERIOUSLY wants Obamacare to EVER be repealed must ask themselves if they could risk that not happening by supporting Romney in ANY way. If it becomes obvious that he can't run, he won't. His main weakness is lack of serious gumption in the face of adversity, which in my book, is enough to disqualify him.

He'll take a swipe at being a presidential candidate. Obama may even try and suppport him by attacking Romney's opposition while leaving him alone. The media will probabaly be kinder to him for the same reason. For most in the Media, if WE THE PEOPLE SUCCEED in geting rid of Obamacare, they will be proven to be idiots for saying it was not possible! They are currently aligned clearly *against* HOPE and CHANGE!!! But we can believe anyway!

Shut Romney down and he'll back off. Let him hang in there and you may have handed victory to Obamacare! Unfortunately, Romney is toxic at this point. He poisoned himself years ago, and Obamacare is making that poison activate!; Reply to this comment


by wfw3536 April 16, 2010 4:05 PM EDT: This is great as he failed with the MA health care program and now he will head up Obamacare. At least Romney showed that this health care bill just passed is the worst thing that could happen to our health care system. We will hit a new low in health care and yesterday Obama took NASA down to a low we haven't seen in its 50 year history with the US having to catch a ride from Russia, that is if they want to give our folks a ride into space.; Reply to this comment


by Zann-Zel April 16, 2010 3:36 PM EDT: LOL! If Romney runs the debates are going to be hilarious!; Reply to this comment


by Len_RI April 16, 2010 2:55 PM EDT: OK -- So, Philip Klein at the conservatard American Spectator thinks that, "Romney's presidential ambitions could also sabotage the GOP's health care repeal efforts."

There ARE NO REPEAL EFFORTS people. Understand that! Republicans would have to take VETO-PROOF MAJORITIES in the House and the Senate. That isn't possible, everyone knows it.

There's no effort to "repeal" anything. The only effort underway by the republicans is to get you, the gullible, to give them fat campaign contributions so they can continue to lie to you about how Obamacare will kill granny.; Reply to this comment