Romney Clinches GOP Nomination With Texas Vote
As GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney steps up his political attacks on President Barack Obama, the health law will be one of his frequent themes. Also in the news, an aide says Romney will soon offer details on his health policy proposals.
The New York Times: Nomination His, Romney Steps Up Attack On Obama
For his part, Mr. Romney is trying to get voters to envision him as president. His debut television advertisements present what a "President Romney"” would do on "Day 1," with an announcer saying: "President Romney issues order to begin replacing Obamacare with common-sense health care reform — that's what a Romney presidency would be like" (Zeleny and Rutenberg, 5/29).
Kaiser Health News: Romney Clinches Nomination, Promises Health Law Rollback On 'Day One'
Video: Now the presumptive GOP nominee, the former Mass. governor warns in a Las Vegas speech that health law will "make it harder for small businesses to hire and grow" (5/30).
Reuters/The Chicago Tribune: Romney Clinches Republican 2012 Nomination In Texas
Romney in weeks ahead will turn to Obama's 2010 healthcare overhaul. The U.S. Supreme Court is to decide in late June on the constitutionality of the law's requirement that all Americans purchase health insurance. Romney has vowed to repeal the law if elected, citing it as an example of too much government under Obama. He has faced criticism from Republicans for the healthcare overhaul he developed for Massachusetts that Obama has called a model for revamping the U.S. system (Holland, 5/30).
Boston Globe: GOP Nomination Clinched, Mitt Romney Pushes Anew
Romney also has a potential health care curveball, with a Supreme Court decision coming within weeks that could strike down Obama's law. The issue remains tough political terrain for Romney. Although he has vowed to repeal Obama's federal law, Romney passed the state-level precursor while governor of Massachusetts. He has yet to fully spell out what changes he would make on a federal level (Viser, 5/30).
The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire: Romney Economic Adviser: Details Coming Soon On Regulatory and Health Care Proposals
Glenn Hubbard, a top economic adviser to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, said the former Massachusetts governor will soon detail proposals for health care and financial regulation. The remarks, made in a wide-ranging interview with Wall Street Journal reporters and editors, could give voters a clearer distinction between President Barack Obama's health care and financial regulatory laws and the changes Mr. Romney would like to make to them (Paletta, 5/29).
Also in the headlines -
The Hill: Poll: Majority Supports Special Courts For Malpractice Suits
The survey, conducted on behalf of Common Good, says 75 percent of those polled believe malpractice suits are contributing to the high cost of insurance and medical care. Republicans have made malpractice reform a central tenet of their healthcare platform, but trial lawyers and many Democrats say the GOP's proposed approach would do little to control the actual effect on healthcare costs (Baker, 5/29).