Statements by Potential Presidential Candidates on the One-Year Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare

Haley Barbour

Statement from Gov. Haley Barbour

"Americans are no closer to affordable healthcare than they were one year ago.  Instead, at this one year anniversary,  we continue to learn the ramifications of the law's many budget gimmicks, bureacratic hurdles, and expensive mandates for both states and businseses.  In my state, the cost to implement PPACA for Medicaid is $1.7 billion over 10 years, including $443 million in the 10th year alone. This law is expanding broken state Medicaid programs and undoing state-based reforms, pulling tax dollars from other necessary areas like education and law enforcement."

Also this Twitter
In the year since Obama overhauled our health system, governors have been addressing its shortcomings while working towards real reform.

Herman Cain

March 23, 2011
Statement from Herman Cain

"As a stage 4 cancer survivor, I am acutely aware of the benefits of a free market-driven health care system. Unfortunately, the same system that saved my life is being 'fundamentally transformed,' with bureaucrats and politicians dismantling the components that allow for true innovation and competition. On this one-year anniversary of one of America's most disastrous policies, we are reminded yet again of the need to repeal and replace Obamacare with meaningful reforms that empower doctors and patients and preserve America's health care system--- the greatest in the world."

Also this posting on Facebook
Today marks the one-year anniversary of Obamacare, or as I like to call it, "health care deform." The White House is wise not to celebrate it. We sure aren't.

Newt Gingrich

March 23, 2011
Statement from Newt Gingrich

Anniversaries are often celebrated, a time when achievements can be heralded.  But they can also be solemn events, when a particular day marks a tragedy.  While the president will celebrate the first anniversary of his signing of ObamaCare, a majority of Americans will skip the champagne and instead mourn the day when our freedom was restricted, our budgetary troubles became more dire, and our healthcare system more broken. 

 

Why does ObamaCare restrict our freedom?  More than $500 billion in new taxes.  159 new federal commissions, committees, planning agencies, and programs.  Nearly 2,000 new and expanded powers given to the secretary of HHS.  An unconstitutional mandate for citizens to purchase health insurance.  Businesses must offer federally qualified benefits or be fined by the IRS.  ObamaCare is the embodiment of Ronald Reagan’s axiom: when government expands, liberty contracts.

 

Why is ObamaCare a budgetary nightmare?  $2.6 trillion in costs when fully implemented.  More than $500 billion in Medicare cuts that pay for a new entitlement and do nothing to save Medicare.  800,000 jobs lost, according to the director of the Congressional Budget Office.  A new federal long-term care program that even leading Democrats have called “unsustainable” and “a ponzi scheme of the first order.”

 

Why does it break our healthcare system even more?  It doesn’t encourage innovation—it taxes it, such as breakthrough drugs and medical technology.  It doesn’t expand access to care—it jeopardizes it, especially for seniors on Medicare.  It doesn’t fix the foundational flaws in Medicaid, it dramatically expands the program.  It doesn’t expand consumer choice for insurance—it forces citizens into one-size-fits-all plans and government programs. 

 

March 23, 2010 was a sad day in American history.  The day ObamaCare is repealed or ruled unconstitutional will certainly be one to celebrate.

Mike Huckabee

March 23, 2011 - 01:21 PM
The First Anniversary of Obamacare: His Healthcare Monster Turns 1 Year Old
by Mike Huckabee

Today (Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011) is the first anniversary of the signing of Obamacare - or as I’ve come to think of it: a Frankenstein Monster, which never should have left the laboratory.  
 
All of the major polls continue to show that the American people don't like Obamacare and favor repealing it.  Yet we have liberal Democrats saying "President Obama needs to do a better job of selling it to the public."  I have news for the liberals in Washington - the American people are a lot smarter than you think they are.  A year ago, despite the liberal propaganda, polls clearly showed a majority of Americans didn't want Obamacare - and that hasn’t changed.
 
Here’s why.  The law hasn’t even been fully implemented yet and Obamacare is already a disaster:  Family health coverage will cost $2,100 more with Obamacare than without it. A third of our doctors say they'll just quit.  A majority of the states want out.  Two federal courts say it's "unconstitutional."  And finally, Medicare's Chief Actuary says the deficit will explode, we can't sustain the benefits, and most Americans won't be able to keep the insurance coverage they like.
 
Every day we see more proof this scary laboratory experiment is a colossal failure.  It’s sad, but I bet the Obama Administration and their liberal friends in Congress are planning to celebrate the anniversary of this mess.
 
If the new Congress won’t repeal it, then they need to defund it - and with major elections looming next year perhaps it’s time for this Administration to really start paying attention to what the American people want. Like you, I’m tired of the federal government experimenting with our lives.
 
Let’s not let Obamacare turn two.

Tim Pawlenty

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Alex Conant

March 23, 2011
 
Statement by Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Obamacare Anniversary

"One year ago today, President Obama signed into law the Federal government takeover of health care, one of the most flawed and misguided laws in modern history.  Obamacare takes our health care system in the wrong direction, failing to reduce costs and improve quality.  The law infringes on individuals' and states'  rights by forcing individuals to purchase a good or service, which is why I joined a lawsuit calling the law unconstitutional. If courts do not do so first, as President, I would support the immediate repeal of Obamacare and replace it with market-based health care reforms."

Mitt Romney
March 22, 2011 8:20 PM

National Review: The Corner via Andrea Saul

If I Were President: Obamacare, One Year In
By Mitt Romney

If I were president, on Day One I would issue an executive order paving the way for Obamacare waivers to all 50 states. The executive order would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services and all relevant federal officials to return the maximum possible authority to the states to innovate and design health-care solutions that work best for them.

As I have stated time and again, a one-size-fits-all national plan that raises taxes is simply not the answer. Under our federalist system, the states are “laboratories of democracy.” They should be free to experiment. By the way, what works in one state may not be the answer for another. Of course, the ultimate goal is to repeal Obamacare and replace it with free-market reforms that promote competition and lower health-care costs. But since an outright repeal would take time, an executive order is the first step in returning power to the states.

Rick Santorum


March 23, 2011

For Immediate Release 

Contact: Virginia Davis

Santorum Renews Call to Repeal Obamacare on One Year Anniversary

Washington, DC - Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) issued the following statement on the one year anniversary of Obamacare:

 

"This deeply flawed legislation has done nothing it was promised to do.  Costs aren't lower, quality isn't better, and access isn't greater.  All this law has done is put more power in the hands of the Obama Administration, and taken power away from the average American.  Government control of healthcare is not the answer, and Obamacare must be repealed." 

 

"What's worse is as more light is shed on what this bill includes, we are learning just how dangerous this bill is.  Obamacare maintains a $105 billion "slush fund" that funds the implementation of the legislation. This fund bypassed Congressional budget processes and gives the legislation advanced appropriations.  Further, more than 1,000 companies, businesses and even the state of Maine have received waivers to escape the new regulations Obamacare requires. Even labor unions, which lobbied for the law, have received waivers.  Maybe if our elected officials had taken the time to read this bill before voting for it, they could have prevented these flaws." 

 

"Obamacare is bad policy.  It is hurting our economy with its increased costs, burdensome regulations and higher taxes, and it must be repealed."


To learn more about former Senator Rick Santorum, please visit www.RickSantorum.com.

                                               

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Gary Johnson
Twitter

One year anniversary of #HCR = One year overdue repealing it