Mitt Romney Return to Candidate Profile Page »

Should the government have a role in expanding access to health care? What, if anything, would you do to restructure the health care system?

I believe that we can put conservative principles to work to ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable health insurance. My plan to reform the American health care system brings down the cost of health care, helps the low-income uninsured, enhances the portability of private insurance, and slows the rate of inflation in health care spending. It accomplishes these goals by recognizing the importance of states in leading reform and the need for innovation in dealing with the parts of our system that are broken. I propose the following six steps to improve America's health care system: 1) Give states incentives to deregulate and reform their health insurance markets so market forces can work. Over-regulation is driving up the cost of insurance and limiting consumer choice, making it difficult for many Americans to afford coverage. 2) Redirect existing spending on 'free care' to help the low-income uninsured purchase private insurance. Currently, taxpayers subsidize billions of dollars of 'free care' for uninsured Americans who receive treatment when they need it. This money would be better spent helping the uninsured to acquire their own private insurance, expanding coverage without the need for new spending or taxes. 3) Improve Health Savings Accounts and make qualified medical expenses fully deductible. This change will help to bring down the cost of health care, end the discrimination against those who do not buy their health insurance through an employer, and curb the over-consumption of health care services. 4) Promote innovation in Medicaid by giving states a block grant of funding each year and allowing them to spend it as they choose. States have very little flexibility under current law to enact innovative changes to Medicaid that help more of their citizens while containing costs. 5) Implement medical liability reform, including caps on non-economic and punitive damage awards in malpractice cases. Our out-of-control medical liability system is forcing doctors to practice defensive medicine and driving up health care costs. 6) Bring market dynamics and modern technology to health care. Introducing the same free market principles present elsewhere in our economy will help to drive the same innovation, quality, and efficiency that we enjoy in our other products and services. I believe that these steps, in concert with the meaningful state-level reforms that they enable, will increase the availability, affordability, and portability of private insurance, increase the quality of care, and slow the rate at which costs are growing.

This is definitely one option we should explore. But it likely won't be the whole solution. Responsible Republicans and Democrats need to sit down together and hammer out a comprehensive plan that will ensure the solvency of Social Security for future generations.I believe workers should have the option of making contributions to voluntary Personal Retirement Accounts.

The first thing to emphasize is that for people who are in retirement or nearing retirement, nothing is going to change. There is no question that these people will receive their expected checks. The question comes when looking down the road -- how will Social Security work for people who are in their 20's, 30's, and 40's today? Something will have to be done, and we already know what the options are. There are several main options for addressing the Social Security problem. One option we have to eliminate right away is raising taxes. Raising taxes is self-defeating because it will slow the economy and that makes the burden of the Social Security problem even greater. An option we should explore is personal accounts. As long as there is a Social Security surplus, there is an argument that this surplus can be invested in personal accounts that can earn a higher return instead of just having the government spend it on programs other than Social Security. The exact combination of options will have to be determined by honest and open-minded Democrats and Republicans willing to work together to address the problem.

Do you support setting a deadline for either a withdrawal or a partial pullback of troops from Iraq? If so, what would be the date of that deadline?

I do not. All Americans want U.S. troops to come home as soon as possible. But walking away now or dividing Iraq up into parts and later walking away would present grave risks to the United States and the world. Iran could seize the Shiite south, al Qaeda could dominate the Sunni west, and Kurdish nationalism could destabilize the border with Turkey. A regional conflict could ensue, perhaps even requiring the return of U.S. troops under far worse circumstances. There is no guarantee that the new strategy pursued by General David Petraeus will ultimately succeed, but the stakes are too high and the potential fallout too great to deny our military leaders and troops on the ground the resources and the time needed to give it an opportunity to succeed. Therefore, I support the strategy of the President and General Petraeus in their current effort to stabilize Iraq, and will continue to do so as long as there is a reasonable prospect of success. General Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker will report back to Congress in mid-September on the progress that is, or is not, being made and until that time it is inappropriate to prematurely condemn the strategy or propose a timetable for troop withdrawals.

What distinguishes your plan for Iraq from those of the other candidates?

I would prefer to let each candidate characterize his or her own position on the issues. I believe that the key to making responsible policy with respect to Iraq is to recognize that Iraq does not exist in isolation from broader regional and global challenges. The conflict there represents a central front in the broader war against radical Islamic jihad. We are fighting for stability and against Al Qaeda in Iraq, and I believe it's a fight we must do everything in our power to win. We have adopted a strategy, currently being implemented by General Petraeus, which I believe shows promise, and I will continue to support it as long as there is a reasonable probability of success. Our efforts in Iraq must be part of a broader strategy. To succeed we must build a stronger America with a stronger military, and we must fundamentally reform civilian capabilities. We need new capabilities, such as a new Special Partnership Force that would build on the historical lessons of successful counterinsurgency campaigns: to integrate all elements of national power - aid, development, and force when necessary -- and to win hearts and minds in contested areas that jihadists seek to undermine and where our current civilian capabilities cannot effectively operate. Yet even a strong America should not go it alone. If elected, one of my first acts as president would be to call for a summit of nations involving the leading developed nations and friends and allies in the Muslim world. The objective would be to create a worldwide strategy to support moderate Muslims in their effort to defeat radical and violent Islam. I envision that the summit would lead to the creation of a Partnership for Prosperity and Progress: a coalition that would assemble resources and expertise to support public schools, microcredit and banking, the rule of law, human rights, basic health care, and free-market policies in modernizing Islamic states. A critical part of this effort would involve creating new trade and economic opportunities for the Middle East that could be powerful forces, not only economically, but also politically in breaking down barriers to cooperation on even the most intractable problems.

What would be your top three national security priorities if you were elected?

Less than six years after 9/11, Washington is as divided and conflicted over foreign policy as it has been at any point in the last 50 years. We face a new generation of challenges, led by the rise of radical Islam seen in current conflict in Iraq, the resurgent Taliban, Iran's destabilizing actions including threats to wipe Israel off the map, and terrorist networks made even more menacing by the threat of nuclear proliferation. This is the defining challenge of our generation, yet it is one of a range of challenges that include the rise of China, genocide in Darfur, AIDS across Africa, and authoritarian regimes such as Cuba's Castro and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez seeking to reverse the spread of freedom. To achieve national security in the face of these challenges, we must unite America and our allies around a shared vision to build a stronger America and a safer world. Second, we must strengthen America. We must reverse the Clinton Administration's cuts to our military by providing at least 100,000 more troops and devoting at least 4% of GDP to make long overdue investments to ensure they have the equipment, armament, weapon systems, and health care they need. We need to dramatically and fundamentally transform our civilian capabilities-in areas like intelligence, diplomacy and homeland security-- to promote peace, security, and freedom. For example, we need to build joint capabilities by unifying our regional civilian capabilities under single regional leaders equivalent to military commanders such as the CENTCOM commander who oversees the Middle East. To address America's vulnerability to foreign oil, energy independence efforts must move beyond rhetoric to become our generation's equivalent of the Manhattan Project or the mission to the moon. Finally, America should not go it alone. Our strength is amplified when it's combined with that of others. We must reinvigorate old partnerships and alliances, and inaugurate new ones to meet today's challenges. We should combine forces to defeat shared threats such as radical jihad and look to expand cooperation in NATO and elsewhere on issues such as counter-terrorism, nonproliferation and homeland security. As described above, we should unite the leading developed nations and our friends and allies in the Muslim world in a Partnership for Prosperity and Progress to mobilize resources like education, health, banking, and development to win the struggle against radical Islam.

Do you think climate change is caused by human activity? If not, what is your view on the issue? What, if anything, would you do to deal with climate change?

I think it is likely human activity is contributing to climate change, but while the scientists and the economists continue to discuss this important topic, we should not be standing on the sidelines waiting for resolution. While I believe that any effective CO2 emission reduction program should be global, I believe in a 'no regrets' approach to improve our energy efficiency, reduce our CO2 emissions, and end our dependency on foreign oil. America needs an energy plan that includes reducing our consumption of oil; increasing our use of alternative sources of energy like nuclear, ethanol, and biodiesel; and investing in the necessary research and development programs for alternative energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon technologies. These actions will enable us to heat our homes, drive our vehicles, and run our businesses with a much smaller environmental footprint than ever before.

Should the government have a role in encouraging development of energy-efficient technologies and sustainable energy resources? If yes, how would you do it?

I believe we must become energy independent. As I always do when I look for solutions to America's problems, I look to America's greatest source of strength - the American people. We need to be fostering American ingenuity and innovation to develop new technologies. The government can play an important role. It is imperative that we increase our energy research funding. We need to initiate our generation's equivalent of the Manhattan Project to develop these new technologies. We must create new economic sources of energy - clean energy, as well as new energy-efficient technologies. We should be licensing these technologies to other countries as well as employing them here at home. The government should be working with industry to accelerate the rate at which these technologies enter the market. These actions will enable us to heat our homes, drive our vehicles, and run our businesses with a much smaller environmental footprint than ever before.

How do you think the United States should handle illegal immigrants? Do you support President Bush's immigration plan?

Legal immigration is a great source of strength for America; illegal immigration is not. We must enforce our current immigration laws so we can secure our borders, implement a mandatory biometrically enabled, tamper proof documentation and employment verification system for non-citizens, and encourage legal immigration into America. I oppose the current immigration reform bill because it is the wrong approach. Any legislation that allows illegal immigrants to stay in the country indefinitely, as the new 'Z-Visa' did, is a form of amnesty, which I oppose. There should be no special pathway to citizenship for those here illegally. That is unfair to the millions of people who have applied to legally come to the U.S. We must instead enforce existing immigration laws.

What are your top three priorities with regard to immigration?

In addition to enforcing existing federal immigration laws, my three immigration reform priorities are: One, secure our border and put in place an enforceable employment verification system for non-citizens; Two, enact no special privilege or special pathway to citizenship for those here illegally; and Three, reform existing laws to encourage legal immigration in order to recruit and retain the best and brightest workers that are in high demand by U.S. companies.

Do you support affirmative action? If you do, why do you think it is a benefit to our country? If not, what do you think would be gained by changing or eliminating it?

I do not support quotas in hiring, government contracting, school admissions or the like. I believe our nation is at its best when people are evaluated as individuals. I do support encouraging inclusiveness and diversity, and I encourage the disclosure of the numbers of women and minorities in top positions of companies and government -- not to impose a quota, but to shine light on the situation. We should always strive for the broadest representation of people, from all walks of life, at all levels of our companies, schools, and government.

Do you agree or disagree with the argument that only the wealthiest Americans are benefiting from the current economic growth? Why or why not?

I disagree. Certainly, the wealthiest Americans are benefiting, but so are middle-income and lower-income Americans. There are a number of very positive trends. For instance, hourly compensation for the American worker has been rising steadily and is up 10% in real terms since even the peak of the tech bubble in 2000. In just the last four years, the unemployment rate has fallen dramatically and, thanks in part to that tight labor market, average hourly wages jumped more than 4% last year. Meanwhile, all Americans enjoy a vastly improved standard of living thanks to the dynamic power of our economy. Most now have cell phones in their pockets and Internet-connected computers in their homes. Medical advances have provided drugs and procedures that save lives and allow for better treatment of chronic ailments. The American people do face challenges, but all benefit from an ever expanding economy. We must continue to grow the economy, because a growing economy is the best way to ensure all members of our society the opportunity to improve their economic position. While some may find it politically expedient to focus criticism on those who have been most successful, we must never forget that when the economy is growing, and companies are hiring and innovating, all Americans win.

What are the three most important things you would do to promote economic growth and prosperity?

First, I will cut taxes. Keeping taxes low is crucial to the health of our economy, which is why I have pledged not to raise taxes. I will make the Bush tax cuts permanent, abolish the Death Tax, and bring down marginal tax rates. I will implement a middle class savings plan, which eliminates all taxes on interest, dividends, and capital gains for middle class Americans. People should be able to save their money tax-free. I also believe that we need to lower our corporate tax rate if American companies are to remain competitive in the global economy. Almost every other developed country in the world has lowered their corporate rate in recent years while we have not, and almost all have a lower rate than ours. Second, I will promote free trade. Protectionism might feel good for a few years, but it would virtually guarantee a decline to a second-tier economy in the near future, with a second-class standard of living. I will keep trade barriers low and insist that Congress give me the 'Trade Promotion Authority' they are currently denying President Bush, so that I can work to establish new free trade agreements with our partners. I will also make sure that free trade is a two-way street, so that foreign markets remain open to our goods and services and respect the intellectual property rights of our companies. Third, I will make it easier for American companies to compete in the global economy. Above, I mentioned the need to bring corporate taxes in line with the rest of the world. We must reform the excessive regulatory burden on our companies - things like the Sarbanes-Oxley internal control requirements, which impose millions of dollars of costs on any company that wants to be publicly traded. I will reinstitute a regulatory relief board to cut back on the regulations that choke off growth. We need comprehensive federal tort reform to prevent frivolous and excessive tort claims which hurt our economy and drive up prices. And we must strengthen our own work force by giving our children a better education, especially in math and science, and by attracting the best and the brightest from around the world through legal immigration.We must reform our tax system, encourage investment, support entrepreneurial spirit, open markets abroad to American goods, and minimize burdensome government regulation.

Would you roll back tax cuts that were supported by the Bush administration?

No. If the Bush tax cuts were allowed to expire, you'd see a massive tax increase that without question would halt our economy in its tracks. The next president is going to have to make a choice between a European model of high taxes and regulations, and the Ronald Reagan model of low taxes and free trade. While some are already working hard to implement the largest tax increase in American history, I believe it is absolutely critical to prevent that and instead make the Bush tax cuts permanent.

Do you support the No Child Left Behind program? Why or why not?

I support the goals of No Child Left Behind and believe strongly in stressing accountability both for our students and schools. I also believe, however, that some improvements need to be made to the law. For example, I'd like to give states that meet or exceed testing requirements additional flexibility in how student performance is measured. I also believe that we should focus more on individual student progress, rather than the overall progress of schools. It is crucially important for us to set high goals in education so that our kids can succeed in the new global economy, and No Child Left Behind has helped to move us in the right direction.

What changes, if any, would you attempt to implement in national education policy?

I believe that education ought to be a partnership between parents, teachers, and students. Our education system works best when we have greater local control of our schools. There is no question that strengthening our schools is an important task for the future of our economy and our country, and I believe that closing the achievement gap in our schools is the civil rights issue of our time. We need to raise the bar in education by making a number of reforms: First, we should promote greater choice in education through mechanisms like charter schools. Kids in failing schools deserve access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Second, we should honor teaching as the profession it truly is by respecting the work that good teachers do in the classroom. There is no reason why good teachers should not be rewarded for their hard work and dedication to the important cause of educating our children. Third, we should accurately measure the progress of our kids and ensure the accountability of their schools through appropriate standardized testing. Fourth, we should ensure that our kids get the education they need to excel in the jobs of the 21st century. This means focusing our efforts on fields like math and science, so that the workers of the future can remain competitive in the new global marketplace. Finally, we need to involve parents from the beginning of a child's school career. Parents are crucial to the educational success of their kids, and we need to do more to ensure that they play a central role in improving our educational system.

What is your position on the proposed constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman?

I support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Marriage is fundamentally an institution about the development and nurturing of children. Every child deserves a mom and a dad. We must recognize the traditional union of a man and a woman as the bedrock of the family in our society. If our courts are determined to undermine this principle, then we have no choice but to defend it through a constitutional amendment.I support an amendment to prevent activist judges from misreading the Constitution to force same-sex marriage on any state.

What is your position on civil unions between same sex partners?

I oppose civil unions between same sex partners. Government should encourage the formation of families and the nurturing of children, and I believe that this is best accomplished with a mom and a dad. Every child deserves a mother and a father.

Do you support the Roe v. Wade decision or would you like to see this decision overturned? Why or why not?

Roe v. Wade should be overturned so that states can be permitted to impose abortion restrictions. Roe wrongly took the question of abortion out of the hands of the American people and their elected representatives. I wasn't always pro-life, but I follow a long line of converts on this issue - Ronald Reagan, Henry Hyde and George Herbert Walker Bush, to name a few. My experience has taught me that we need to create a culture of life that welcomes all children into this world and protects them under the law. I am encouraged that the Supreme Court upheld the congressional ban on the practice of partial birth abortion.

Should the federal government have a role in seeking an end to poverty? What would you do, specifically, to deal with poverty?

Fighting poverty starts with strengthening the American family. Unfortunately, too many kids grow up today in broken homes that are mired in poverty. Kids in single parent homes are four times more likely to live in poverty, and more likely to be poorer than their fathers. Strong families, by contrast, can teach our kids the values they need to succeed in America and lift themselves out of poverty. Second, we must improve our country's educational system. The achievement gap is the civil rights issue of our time, because kids are not getting the education they need to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. We can help to end the cycle of poverty by allowing parents to exercise choice in education so their kids don't have to be relegated to failing schools. Finally, we must strengthen and grow our economy to create the jobs and opportunities that will lift people out of poverty. Reasonable and sustainable entitlement spending that does not promote dependency is compassionate and just, but higher taxes and runaway spending slow the growth of our economy and leave everyone worse off in the long run. In my view, we must cut taxes and spending, eliminate excessive regulation, and promote policies that encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and free trade. A strong economy with low unemployment, high wages, and expanding wealth is the only path to better opportunities for all Americans.

Do you think gun control has an impact on crime rates in the United States?

The Second Amendment protects the individual right of lawful citizens to keep and bear arms. I strongly support this essential freedom and I applaud the recent federal appeals court decision in Washington, D.C., which concluded that the Second Amendment protects an individualized right to keep and bear arms. As President, I will support that interpretation and protect the right of every law abiding American to keep and use firearms. With respect to gun control laws, I believe we need to distinguish between law abiding gun owners and criminals who use guns. Those who use a firearm during the commission of a crime must be punished severely. The key is to provide law enforcement with the resources they need and punish criminals, not burden lawful gun owners.

Do you think tighter restrictions should be in place for those buying a firearm?

No. I believe we need to focus on enforcing our current laws rather than creating new laws that burden lawful gun owners. I believe in safe and responsible gun ownership and that anyone who exercises the right to keep and bear arms must do so lawfully and properly. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all federal approach to gun ownership because people keep and use firearms for different reasons. Law-abiding citizens have a right to protect their homes and their families and as President, I will vigorously defend that right.

If elected, would you keep the current ban on funding for embryonic stem cell research in place? Why or why not?

I am a strong supporter of stem cell research. Adult stem cell research has already yielded great results for some patients and umbilical cord blood stem cells are promising as well. I am particularly excited about recent advances in stem cell research whereby scientists may be able to derive pluripotent stem cells without the need to create or destroy embryos. I support federal funding for such so-called alternative methods like altered nuclear transfer and direct reprogramming. I oppose cloning and think the practice of creating human embryos for the purposes of research should be banned. I want stem cell research to thrive in this country in a way that encourages medical discovery without crossing an ethical line.

What would be your top three overall priorities if elected?

I believe the best ally peace has ever known is a strong America. In thinking about the future of our country, and the challenges we need to meet, my three top priorities are to strengthen our military, strengthen our economy, and strengthen our families. Our Military: I want to add at least 100,000 additional troops, provide the equipment they need on the battlefield to be safe, and give them the care they deserve when they come home. I will fight to give our law enforcement personnel the data and information they need to keep us safe, and I will make sure that if we capture a terrorist, we find out what their plans were. When Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the so-called mastermind of the 9/11 tragedy, was captured he said, 'I'll see you in New York with my lawyers.' Instead he saw GI's and C.I.A. interrogators in Guantanamo just like it ought to be. Our Economy: We must keep our taxes down, keep government small, and allow people to invest in the future. The tax rate on dividends, interest, and capital gains for middle class Americans ought to be absolutely zero. We need to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, permanently end the Death Tax, and control spending. By continuing to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, we can build an economy that can compete in the 21st century. Our Families and Values: I am firmly pro-life and I will promote a culture of life and appoint judges who support the Constitution. I want to strengthen marriage and clean up the culture that surrounds our kids by working with parents to limit their children's exposure to sex and violence and drugs. I want to subject child predators to 'one strike and you're ours': tougher penalties for first-time offenders including stiff mandatory jail time and lifetime GPS tracking. Our country faces great challenges, but the people of this nation have such heart and passion, love of liberty, education, and willingness to risk all for their family, for their freedom, and for their future, that I am confident that our future will be even brighter than our past.