Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) told supporters on Tuesday that there is no provision in the Constitution regarding Medicare and Medicaid.
Mr. Paul, who has supported less government involvement in domestic affairs throughout his campain, said he believes the Tenth Amendment guarantees states the right to decide whether to provide health care for its residents.
“Article I, Section 8 doesn’t say I can set up an insurance program for people,” said Mr. Paul. “What part of the Constitution are you getting it from?”
During a meeting of the Republican Congressional Health Care Caucus in mid-November, Mr. Paul made similar comments although he maintained his view that he would not eliminate the Medicaid and Medicare programs.
“Probably the worst thing that we ever did was make medical care the responsibility of the government,” Mr. Paul said at the meeting in November.
“I don’t think our federal government should be any more involved in medical care delivery than they should be in delivering education to our children,” the Texas congressman added.
