It's been a GOP festival this week. With the Republican presidential debates in full swing Monday through Friday, the six leading contenders must now put forth their healthcare reform plans.
Most GOP proposals will have two words attached to them: "Appeal Obamacare." Starting from scratch is not an easy step to take, though. Mitt Romney has titled his strategy, "Believe in America," a 160-page book on entitlement reform. The scheme reportedly doesn't answer direct questions on how he would propose to nix Obamacare.
Another GOP contender, Utah governor Jon Huntsman, titled his idea: "Time to Compete: An American Jobs Plan." In it, his healthcare overhaul includes shrinking the private sector portion of the system, not to mention a tax reform section eliminating our third healthcare entitlement (that $300 billion tax exclusion yearly for employer-sponsored health insurance).
We asked our Healthcare Finance News social media followers who they think is the best candidate is at this point to refine healthcare in this country. We broke answers down to some of the top GOP candidates: Bachmann, Romney, Perry, Paul and Huntsman.
Michelle Bachmann:
@mrbabypants: "Bachmann says inherent in the constitution that states cannot mandate healthcare any more than feds. Where does that leave Mitt."
@grumbie_weed: "Weird! Bachmann supports VA health care program - entirely Govt-administered health care, complete with doctors and hospitals #wiunion"
@MarieSDiamond: Shocking: there is one government-run health care program that Bachmann apparently likes.
@jeremymarin: "#Bachmann says MA health care unconstitutional, but legal scholar that she is, can't cite why."
@stzlyee: "Bachmann said, she fought unconstitutional measures. People looking for a Champion and she brought people in to fight health care reform"
Mitt Romney:
@highlander9385: "Huntsman has some great ideals and I tell you now I will not vote for Romney. He way to much like Obama in health care."
@ericgrant: "Mitt Romney is an expert on jobs in the same way an undertaker is an expert on health care." - Paul Begala"
@heubie21: "Healthcare+politicians= no no. Romney gets interesting with only one page in his book for his ideal reform plan."
@corcoran310: "Mitt Romney is starting to panic now that he's no longer the Republican frontrunner. By January he'll be for single payer health care."
@kflanagan: "Romney has to just keep running against his former self, MA Health Care law isn't bad."
Rick Perry:
@opinionoregon: "Rick Perry, not only supported Al Gore, he supported Hillary Clinton's health care plan and he pushed for a bailout and stimulus funds."
@TheBaxterBean: "Rick Perry 2010 Quotes: The Health Care crisis was "an open door for pursuing Obama agenda, which is creeping socialism." #fedup #perry"
@Jacquire228: "Per Perry, gov't should stay out of the health care business, but should be in the business of putting people to death. #OBAMA2012"
@JosephFCrater: "Massachusetts is light years ahead of Texas in health care quality/coverage. Yet, in Bizarro GOP that's a minus for Mitt/+Perry"
@GreenGoddessVV: "Like both Mr. Perry and Mr. Romney, though they have concerns about each and those are what… Immigration and health care."
Ron Paul:
@franklylamouche: "Romney waste of time. He disavowed universal health care in MA. Better bet for "change" Ron Paul."
@1bamadoll: "We spend $720 million a DAY for Iraq war. We can use this money to provide 400,000 children with health care. Vote Ron Paul 2012!"
@TCOMMinvestor: "I was behind Ron Paul until I read his fairy tale wishes on health care; to hope doctors will provide volunteer pro-bono medical care."
@drsharonrasa: "Congressman Ron Paul is for "systemic change" in government. This is also true for health care. Our bodies comprise..."
@Politicolnews: "Ron Paul accepts his health care benefits, he has NOT given those up. Yet, he will VOTE to repeal it for others."
Jon Huntsman:
@TaylowBenJordan: "I hope Huntsman gets more attention and isn't ignored by the media simply because he isn't a polarizing crazy person."
@lanugobmg: "Huntsman says 'our debt is immoral' but thinks gutting health care for seniors to fund tax cut for rich is fine. He's the reasonable one?"
@coxen00: "John #Huntsman's brilliant plan to create jobs: repeal #DoddFrank and the Affordable Health Care Act, and strip the EPA. How creative!"
@Christothefer: "The video of Huntsman saying he humiliates insurance companies and "health care" is a right is a un-american thing to say."
@mnblrmkr: "Huntsman would eliminate capital gains tax and pay for it by eliminating tax credit for employer provided health care and the EITC."
Who do you think should be the GOP frontrunner after watching the debates this week? Let us know by Tweeting @HITNewsTweet.