Republican Presidential Candidates Discuss Health Care, Other Issues During Last Debate in Iowa

Nine Republican presidential candidates on Wednesday during a debate in Iowa sponsored by the Des Moines Register and Iowa Public Television discussed health care and other issues, the AP/Kansas City Star reports.

During the debate, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said that he would reduce federal spending for health care and other domestic programs by as much as 15% (AP/Kansas City Star, 12/13). Giuliani also said that he would seek to provide U.S. residents with more "ownership" of their health care, "rather than relying on government as the nanny government." He added, "Let's rely on people to make choices about their health care. That's an American solution" (Helman, Boston Globe, 12/13).

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee cited the need to focus on preventive health care (Cooper/Luo, New York Times, 12/13).

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said that health care costs are "going through the roof" and that "we need to reduce the burden on middle-income families in this country."

Former Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.) said that as president he would seek to reduce the cost of Medicare. He said that "we've got to look at ... Medicare and do some things now that won't hurt anybody badly but will save it for the next generation" (Associated Press, 12/12). In addition, he said that he would eliminate Medicare eligibility for seniors with the highest income levels (Thomma, Miami Herald, 12/12).

Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), Rep. Duncan Hunter (Calif.), former Ambassador Alan Keyes, Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) and Rep. Tom Tancredo (Colo.) also participated in the debate (Associated Press, 12/12). The debate, moderated by Register editor Carolyn Washburn, marked the last forum that will feature all of the Republican candidates before the Iowa caucuses next month (Kiely, USA Today, 12/13).

A CNN transcript of the complete debate is available online (CNN.com, 12/12). Iowa Public Television video highlights and expanded coverage of the debate also are available online (Iowa Public Television, 12/12).

Romney Promises To Address Health Care Within Four Years
Romney on Tuesday at a house party in Johnston, Iowa, said that as president he would expand health insurance to all U.S. residents within four years. According to "The Trail," Romney "bragged that more than two-thirds of the uninsured" in Massachusetts, where in 2006 he signed a law that requires all residents to obtain health insurance, "are now covered." He said, "I'll battle to get that done in every state in the country."

In addition, the Romney campaign has begun to distribute a new mailer in Iowa that depicts him as the candidate most able to expand health insurance to all residents. The mailer, titled "Promises, Promises," says that "everyday in Iowa, presidential candidates make promises to expand health care coverage," adding that, "as governor, Mitt Romney created the first comprehensive health care reform program in the country" (Bacon, "The Trail," Washington Post, 12/12).

Editorial Examines Romney Record
"During his presidential run, Mr. Romney continues to move sharply to the right" on health care and other issues, according to a Washington Times editorial.

For example, as governor of Massachusetts, Romney signed a health insurance law that "includes a mixture of big government mandates" and a "heavily subsidized premium assistance program," the editorial states. However, the editorial states, the law also includes a "number of critical market reforms, which include permitting HMOs to offer high-deductible plans tied to health savings accounts."

According to the editorial, based on his past record, his "major challenge in the coming weeks will be persuading more conservatives that he is the most plausible Republican nominee" (Washington Times, 12/13).

Commentary
American Public Media's "Marketplace" on Wednesday included a commentary by Robert Reich, a secretary of labor under former President Clinton, about the health care proposals of Democratic presidential candidates. According to Reich, the candidates agree on most issues related to health care reform but continue "squabbling" over whether to require individuals to obtain health insurance.

He concludes that, to implement health care reform, "Democrats need to start building a movement in support of the big and important reforms universal health insurance requires -- on which Democrats happen to agree" (Reich, "Marketplace," American Public Media," 12/12).

Audio and a transcript of the segment are available online.