Gingrich praised Romney's health law in 2006

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Updated at 1:40 p.m. ET

As a Republican presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich has been critical of the changes to the Massachusetts health care system Mitt Romney implemented as governor, but a recently surfaced 2006 newsletter shows Gingrich praised the law soon after it was passed.

"The health bill that Governor Romney signed into law this month has tremendous potential to effect major change in the American health system," reads an April 2006 essay, under the headline "Newt Notes." The essay was published in a newsletter from the Center for Health Transformation, a company Gingrich founded.

In his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, Romney has taken serious heat for the Massachusetts law, which included a requirement for all residents to have health insurance.

The plan was used a model for President Obama's signature legislative achievement, which also includes a mandate for individuals to buy health insurance. The requirement is one of the most controversial aspects of Mr. Obama's law.

Romney has stood by his state plan but says that he did not intend for it to serve as a national model.

Gingrich has also been criticized by many Republicans for his past support of the individual mandate, though he says he no longer supports the idea. This latest reminder of Gingrich's past health policy positions comes just one week before the Iowa caucuses, potentially dealing a blow to his campaign at the worst possible time.

Gingrich's campaign spokesman R.C. Hammond called Gingrich's past support of the individual mandate "old news."

"Newt previously supported a mandate for health insurance and changed his mind after seeing its effects," he said. "The real question is why Mitt the Massachusetts Moderate won't admit that health insurance mandates don't work."

Hammond said Gingrich is "more than willing" to discuss the Massachusetts health reforms with Romney in a one-on-one debate this week in Iowa.

In response to questions about the newsletter, Romney said today, "I'm familiar with the fact that [Gingrich] supported individual mandates in the past and was supportive of generally of the plan in Massachusetts, and he's changed his view in the election year."

Hammond said he didn't read the 2006 newsletter as praise of Romney's health care reforms but rather as an analysis.

"The newsletter critiqued several of Governor Romney's reforms and offered ways to improve" it, he said. "Offering constructive criticism is not an endorsement."

The newsletter offers a robust endorsement of the individual mandate with some caveats. "We agree strongly with this principle [of the individual mandate], but the details are crucial when it comes to the structure of this plan," it reads. Gingrich suggested limiting the mandate to those individuals earning more than $54,000 per year, and he warned that Massachusetts' many health care coverage regulations could hamper the system.

Gingrich's campaign points out that the former House speaker has given assessments of other health care plans, such as the plan Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal put forward as a congressman in 2007. In The Ouachita Citizen, Gingrich commended Jindal's support for ideas that promote more health insurance choices, such as creating a health insurance "exchange" for individuals and businesses to buy and sell insurance -- another element of Mr. Obama's health reforms.

While the issue of changes to the U.S. health care system has primarily plagued Romney's campaign, other GOP presidential contenders have attacked both Romney and Gingrich on the issue. In an interview with CBS News and the National Journal, Rep. Michele Bachmann called Gingrich "the father of the individual mandate" and blasted Romney for implementing "socialized medicine." When asked about the 2006 newsletter today, Bachmann said, "That is why I have been calling them 'Newt Romney' -- because neither of them are conservative."

Additionally, Texas Gov. Rick Perry released an ad attacking both Gingrich and Romney for supporting the individual mandate.

The attacks appear to be taking a toll on Gingrich's standing in the polls. After taking a strong lead in national polls some weeks ago, a national CBS News poll released December 20 showed Gingrich tied with Romney. In Iowa, Gingrich has fallen into third place behind Romney and Rep. Ron Paul.

CBS News/ National Journal reporters Sarah Boxer and Rodney Hawkins contributed to this report.

[kansas1946]

Gingrich praised Romney's health law in 2006
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Of course he did. He also praised family vaulues while he was carrying on an adulterous affiar. He is a liar and a cheat. What else would you expect from him. Ther is an old proverb about a snake biting a swan that saved him from drowning. The swan asked, "Why did you bite me after I saved your life??" The snake replied, "Because it is my nature." You can't change a snake's nature. That is probably all we need to know about Newt.

[nearl451]

Yes. They are both hypocrites.

[Tired_of_liars]

by Mortar1SG29 December 27, 2011 5:33 PM EST
The Congress passed a law they had no power to pass, Tired. Nowhere in the enumerated powers of the Constitution was Congress given the power to pass laws dealing with retirement, welfare, or healthcare.

They went around the Constitution, which makes it illegal!


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8618-503544_162-57348657.html?assetTypeId=41&messageId=11752314&tag=accordionB;commentWrapper#ixzz1hmJQOL8z

And yet, it still is going on. Mort you and I have discussed this and we won't ever see eye to eye. You think it is illegal, but you can't bring any charges up criminal or civil which is the very definition of something being illegal.

How many laws do we have in America? How many amendments do we have? Can you legally take me to court because I collect social security?

[Mortar1SG29]

Wrong, Tired. Just because it is being enforced does not make it Constitutional.

[Tired_of_liars]

by economicterror December 27, 2011 5:22 PM EST
Gummmint check.....samey same.
The anti American GOP economic terrorists are going to kick you out of your subsidized housing, take away your food stamps, and cancel your Medicaid.
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I am not in subsidized housing. I own my home. My wife and I bought our house, so again you are saying things that make you look like the fool.

[Tired_of_liars]

by economicterror December 27, 2011 5:25 PM EST
Mortard will have you on the street starving, and homeless, if you vote for an anti American GOP economic terrorist, DJ.
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Vet, I don't want you talking to me. The only Anti-American I know is you, so your opinion is worthless to me. Now when you can be respectful then maybe, JUST maybe I might listen. But since you continually insult a member of the service, I have no respect for you or your opinions

[Happy_Holidays1]

by Mortar1SG29 December 27, 2011 4:33 PM EST
Thats all he does. He never has any facts nor something to bring to the discussion. Just insults.

Better to just ignore Slow and dont respond to him.


====

Odd that you say you ignore me, yet bait me.

Pretty childish.

.

[Tired_of_liars]

by Mortar1SG29 December 27, 2011 4:34 PM EST
You get rid of SS and Medicare and Medicaid because it is illegal and immoral.
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It is NOT illegal Mort. The law was passed by Congress in the 1930's. For it to be illegal you have to first undo the current law

[Happy_Holidays1]

Mort, Empress, and Dan keep talking about "morals", yet they all CHOOSE to financially contribute to a criminal and evil church.

[Mortar1SG29]

The Congress passed a law they had no power to pass, Tired. Nowhere in the enumerated powers of the Constitution was Congress given the power to pass laws dealing with retirement, welfare, or healthcare.

They went around the Constitution, which makes it illegal!

[Tired_of_liars]

by economicterror December 27, 2011 5:03 PM EST
MORTARD, and DJ, mud wrestling over their gummint welfare checks.

BWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Dude, shut your miserable mouth. You sir, are a pathetic LIAR. I receive Social Security NOT welfare. Figure out the difference

[Tired_of_liars]

by economicterror December 27, 2011 5:05 PM EST
DJ relies on his intellectual superiors for facts.
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You sir, are a fool! Shut up! Stop disrespecting me ok?

[Tired_of_liars]

by economicterror December 27, 2011 5:02 PM EST
Drunk Dan sure can send out a zinger.
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Why are you here? You obviously don't like anyone who does not agree with you, so why are you here?

[Mortar1SG29]

There are none, economic terror.