Understanding Romneycare

By Joseph E. McIsaac

Conservative criticism of Mitt Romney's involvement in Massachusetts' universal health care (so-called "Romneycare") targets one of the most misunderstood issues in the 2012 presidential race. Critics lash out against Romneycare as proof that Romney lacks true conservative credentials, yet a closer look at the political reality that prevailed in the Commonwealth actually reveals that Romney deserves much credit for a principled, high-integrity handling of this legislation. Understanding Massachusetts The first and most important context to understand is that Massachusetts is full of liberal Democrat voters. The Commonwealth's House and Senate typically are constituted with 85% to 90% Democrat majorities. Such dramatic super-majorities are a dominant consideration in any discussion of Romneycare, as they render the governor's veto into a mere symbolic gesture that cannot stop the passage of any legislation favored by the Democrats. For example, in Romney's last year in office, the Governor issued 250 vetoes, every single one of which was overridden. Universal Health Care is Popular in Massachusetts Another important and relevant fact in any discussion of.... (Read Full Article)