Appearing on Meet the Press on Sunday, Newt Gingrich aired his objections to the mandatory health insurance provision of the ACA. He did agree that individuals should be responsible for their health care costs. His counter proposal, not unreasonable on its face, was that individuals who did not want to purchase health insurance be required to post a bond that would cover health care costs or provide other proof of health expense accountability.
While the proposal itself is worthy of consideration, the rationale was a bit remarkable, referring to it as a plan that would “make most libertarians relatively happy.” So let’s get this straight. Imposing a new federally enforceable requirement that people post bonds, a form of insurance, or requiring proof to the federal government of health cost accountability, is a libertarian concept according to Newt.
In another part of the discussion, Gingrich rejected the approach of Paul Ryan to replace Medicare with a voucher system. He called it “radical” and too big a change, including this challenge to the plan:
“I don’t think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering.”
Contributor, aka tidbits. Retired attorney in complex litigation, death penalty defense and constitutional law. Former Nat’l Board Chair: Alzheimer’s Association. Served on multiple political campaigns, including two for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR). Contributing author to three legal books and multiple legal publications.