Romney’s Praise For Israeli Health Care System Follows Him Back To U.S.
Mitt Romney's praise for the largely government-run Israeli health care system could paint him in an awkward corner, The Boston Globe reports. News organizations also examine Romney's tax plan -- and its proposed cut on tax breaks for medical expenses.
Boston Globe: In A Twist, Romney Lauds Israeli Health Care System
Mitt Romney's praise for the Israeli health care system, made near the end of his foreign trip, followed him as he returned home Tuesday, raising eyebrows because he lauded a system that has more government control than the Obama health law Romney so strenuously faults. Romney, speaking to donors Monday, commented on how Israel -- a "pretty healthy nation" -- spends far less on health care than the United States does. Israel's success in controlling costs is often attributed to the heavy role of its government and a requirement that everyone have coverage, some of the same qualities Romney condemns in the health law President Obama signed (Viser, 8/1).
The Washington Post: Study: Romney Tax Plan Would Result In Cuts For Rich, Higher Burden For Others
Mitt Romney's plan to overhaul the tax code would produce cuts for the richest 5 percent of Americans -- and bigger bills for everybody else, according to an independent analysis set for release Wednesday. The study was conducted by researchers at the Brookings Institution and the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, who seem to bend over backward to be fair to the Republican presidential candidate. … None of it helped Romney. His rate-cutting plan for individuals would reduce tax collections by about $360 billion in 2015, the study says. To avoid increasing deficits … the plan would have to generate an equivalent amount of revenue by slashing tax breaks for mortgage interest, employer-provided health care, education, medical expenses, state and local taxes, and child care -- all breaks that benefit the middle class (Montgomery, 8/1).
In a new get-out-the-vote campaign, home care caregivers will also help patients and their families register to vote --
Politico Pro: Voting Effort Centers On Home Health
Home health agencies in more than a dozen states will be asked to take part in a get-out-the-vote effort that could give the sector more political clout while allowing thousands of seniors to participate in the November elections. Under the initiative, backed by the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare and the Council of State Home Care Associations, caregivers could assist patients and their families in registering to vote, and help them request absentee ballots if needed. Council Chairwoman Marcia Tetterton said the effort focuses on homebound patients who otherwise cannot make it to their local polling places or who have recently relocated (DoBias, 8/1).