Governor Johnson supports a free market approach to health care. He is opposed to government control of the health care market and would seek to severly limit the intrusion of government into the health care market.
Governor Johnson notes that health care is one area where Republicans have faltered in the past with an unfunded mandate in the form of Medicare Part D. He states that he would support the repeal of the program.
Governor Johnson supports the Paul Ryan plan to change Medicaid to a voucher system. He also stated that he would reduce the size of the Medicare / Medicare system by 43% and block grant the full system to the states.
Governor Johnson opposed Obamacare and would act to repeal the law. He proposes a market based approachand a health care insurance system that is privately owned and managed. He supports tort reform to control the costs of frivolous lawsuits.
Boston TEA Party
In December of 2010, Governor Johnson spoke at the Boston TEA Party about health care reform. He notes his affinity for free market health care reform.
Campaign Announcement
Governor Johnson made his announcement speech for the 2012 Presidency in April of 2011. He stated during that speech that he would support the repeal of the Medicare Prescription drug plan known as Medicare part D. He also stated that Obamcare should be repealed.
I think Republicans would gain a lot of credibility in this argument if Republicans would offer a repeal of the prescription health care benefit they passed when they controlled both houses of Congress and ran up record deficits.
Reality Report Interview
In March of 2011, Governor Johnson was interviewed by The Reality Report and discussed health care. He states that government can help by removing itself from health care. He notes that the view of health care insurance is flawed. (Remarks start around 9:00)
South Carolina Debate
In May of 2011, Governor Johnson participated in the Republican primary debate in South Carolina. He discusses his plan to see Medicare and Medicaid cut by 50% and block granted to the states.
Raw Story Interview
In May of 2011, Governor Johnosn was quoted on RawStory.com discussing his support for the Paul Ryan plan as a start but stating that the plan should go further.
As president I would sign the plan into law, because it does move forward on the issue. But I think it doesn’t go far enough.
I hate to use the word cut, because somehow that implies hardship. But I believe there would be best practices that emerge that would allow us to do that and still live within our means.
I'm in the camp that believes we’re on the verge of a financial collapse, because there’s just no repaying 14 trillion dollars in debt with a $1.65 trillion dollar deficit going forward.
So if the Paul Ryan Medicare plan is the best that comes out of Congress, yes, I would sign that. But could Congress do better? Yes, and that’s what I would advocate.
Our America Initiative
Governor Johnson started the Our America Initiative in early 2011. On that website, he stated that he opposed the 2009-2010 health care reform plans.
Health Care
The costs of health care are out of control and something needs to be done to return health care to fiscal solvency.
However, we do not believe that government should be taking over the health care system. A market based approach should be the foundation of any solution. A health care insurance system that is privately owned and managed is the best approach to solving our health care problems. Tort reform and control of frivolous lawsuits should be included as a way to help cut the costs of health care.
Real Clear Politics Interview
In June of 2011, Governor Johnson was interviewed by RealClearPolitics.com and discussed health care. He stated that he would block grant Medicare and Medicaid to the states.
JOHNS: So what would you do about entitlements if you were the president of the United States?
JOHNSON: Well, first of all, I think that there are those that are truly in need in this country and that perhaps government is the only entity that can help those truly in need.
JOHNS: You've suggested block grants.
JOHNSON: Well, I suggest that when it comes to Medicaid and Medicare, that the federal government cut Medicaid and Medicare by 43 percent. Of course, everybody --
JOHNS: Wait a minute, 43 percent?
JOHNSON: Yes, exactly, 43 percent. So everybody goes, whoa, wait a minute --
JOHNS: Wouldn't that throw people out of hospitals?
JOHNSON: No, no, no. So, do away with the strings and the mandates, give Medicaid and Medicare back to the states. As governor of New Mexico, I would have reformed Medicaid, I'm saving a lot of money. If the strings and the mandates were to have been taken away when came to Medicaid, I would have been made to make Medicaid work in New Mexico for 43 percent less. If Medicare were given to me as governor of the state, I could have made Medicare happen.
JOHNS: I would imagine, though, that people out there watching this who are going to be eligible for Medicare very soon would say, am I going to elect a guy who is saying he's going to cut the program 43 percent?
JOHNSON: Well, not if you think -- not if you don't think that you're going to get essential health care. But the idea would be to actually deliver essential health care.
This is what I heard that this was going to happen in New Mexico given that I was governor. I'd like to point out, Joe, that there was a study or a survey here, a poll two weeks ago, that of all of the candidates running for president, I'm the only one that has favorability in their own state. And I'm the only one.
So, all of these things that I'm talking about, which I talked about as being governor of New Mexico -- the scary things didn't happen. We did a good job. We did a good job of running state government.
And I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think that, number one, I could do this job as president of the United States and do a good job at it.
