Obamacare, Romneycare tax or penalty?

WWLP TV

Updated: Jul 3, 2012 6:26 PM

BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) — The U.S. Supreme Court may have upheld President Obama’s national health care law last week, but the debate rages on.  The Supreme Court decided the Affordable Care Act is constitutional because of Congress’ broad taxation powers. So Republicans are wasting no time in calling the law a tax on Americans, including Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown.

“This massive new entitlement means trillions in new spending and higher taxes,” said Brown in his latest radio report.

The ACA requires Americans to buy health insurance.  Those who do not must pay a penalty on their annual tax form.  If the Court calls that a tax, that’s bad news for Obama, who’s promised not to raise taxes on the middle class. Governor Deval Patrick, an Obama campaign surrogate, dismisses the labels, but takes care to call it a penalty, not a tax.

“I don’t care what it’s called,” said Patrick.  “And I think it doesn’t help to quibble over whether the penalty is a penalty or whether it’s something else masquerading as a penalty. It’s a solution.”

And for once, Mitt Romney’s campaign can agree.  The former governor also signed the individual health insurance mandate in Massachusetts in 2006.  His campaign is calling it a penalty, not a tax. 

Health Care For All executive director Amy Whitcomb Slemmer was a key advocate in support of the Massachusetts health care bill when it passed.  She says the distinction between tax and penalty is more of a national phenomenon.  It was never an issue during debates within the state.

“We didn’t discuss whether it was a tax or a penalty,” said Slemmer.  “We agreed that there had to be some sort of enforcement mechanism …What this is trying to do is make sure that there are very few free riders, folks who can afford it but don’t.”

Slemmer agrees with the governor that it doesn’t matter what it’s called in the end, but fears the language will continue to be used as a political weapon.

Copyright 2013 WWLP TV. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Political Pulse

We welcome your thoughtful comments. Be the first to participate in the discussion. All comments will display your username and avatar.