[Excelsior]

An interesting shift on "Meet the Press" this morning...

Quote:

Mitt Romney said Sunday that he likes parts of ‘Obamacare’ and will keep key provisions involving pre-existing conditions and young people.

“I’m not getting rid of all of health care reform. Of course there are a number of things that I like in health care reform that I’m going to put in place,” he said on NBC’s “Meet The Press. “One is to make sure that those with pre-existing conditions can get coverage. Two is to assure that the marketplace allows for individuals to have policies that cover their family up to whatever age they might like.”

The remarks could have huge implications as they signal a marked shift from Romney’s strong, unequivocal support for full repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which he has consistently held since the Republican primaries.

Politically, the pivot risks drawing the ire of conservatives, who have been adamant that Republicans repeal the law in its entirety if elected. It’s a major gamble that could reflect Romney’s need to win over more independent voters, who support those provisions.

From a policy standpoint, however, the coverage guarantee for pre-existing conditions is economically untenable without other provisions of ‘Obamacare’ — most notably the individual mandate that requires Americans purchase insurance, which experts say is necessary to broaden the risk pool and prevent an upward spiral in costs.

Laws permitting young Americans to remain on a parent’s insurance policy until 26 have been backed by other top Republicans in recent months.

Asked on “Meet The Press” if he wants to repeal those two popular provisions of the law, Romney said, “Well, of course not. I say we’re going to replace Obamacare. And I’m replacing it with my own plan. And even in Massachusetts when I was governor, our plan there deals with pre-existing conditions and with young people.”

Earlier this summer Romney came out for laws protecting Americans who have obtained continuous insurance coverage from being denied access to care. But the provision in the Affordable Care Act goes much further and bans insurers from turning down prospective customers on the basis of health status. It takes effect in 2014.

Republicans flirted with including those provisions of the law in a replacement plan in the run-up to the Supreme Court decision on its constitutionality. Conservative activists gave them hell for considering it and GOP leaders backed off before the decision came down.