Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, speaking at a campaign event in Orlando Tuesday, stuck to one of his pet topics, saying he wants to replace and repeal “Obamacare.”
Romney said, on his first day in office he will repeal the Affordable Healthcare Act and give more power to the states to determine their healthcare programs. Particularly, he is in favor of turning Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs over to the states in block grants.
Romney also said, he would drop the requirement where everyone must purchase health insurance letting the states determine how to serve the uninsured. He did however, give a nod to certain one area of “Obamacare” which guarantees that those individuals with pre-existing conditions, should have health insurance.
In his 40 minute address before an invited-only group of about 350 small business owners, Romney wasted no time in pointing out how out of touch President Obama is, referencing his gaffe last Friday when he said “the private sector economy is fine.”
“The president doesn’t understand how his policies have made things so hard for the American people,” he said, wdbo reported. “It’s finally time to have a president who’s in touch with what’s happening in America, and I am.”
But even as Romney was warmly received inside Con-Air Industries where he spoke, a small group gathered to protest the former Massachusetts governor. The group, which included retired Florida firefighter Steve Clelland criticized Romney who has suggested there’s no need for new police, firefighters and teachers.
Obama recently called for the rehiring of hundreds of thousands of teachers, firefighters and police, as cuts in government workers, amounting to about 600,000, have been a drag on America’s economic recovery.
“He (President Obama) says we need more firemen, more policemen, more teachers. Did he not get the message of Wisconsin? The American people did. It’s time for us to cut back on government,” Romney said last week.
On Tuesday, Romney also attended a private fundraiser at Isleworth County Club in Windermere, following his stop in Orlando.
