Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., says he thinks the Supreme Court will strike down the individual mandate in President Obama’s health care law. And while this thinking may be driven partially by his own wishes, Ryan said that doesn’t mean he opposes the idea of universal health care in general.
(FULL COVERAGE: More from the Atlantic Ideas Forum)
Speaking at the Atlantic Ideas Forum Thursday, the House Budget chairman said he favors universal coverage, just not the way Obama wants it implemented.
Obama’s health care plan is “going to collapse the health care system,” he said. “The mandate is crude and unconstitutional.” Instead of forcing people to sign up for health care or suffer a penalty, Ryan said, the best option is to offer every individual a refundable tax credit and have them auto-enrolled into a plan.
“Why would you not do it?” he said. “If it’s easy to do, the odds are you are going to sign up for it.”
Ryan also said that his desire to work on such policy issues made him want to continue being a congressman instead of running for the presidency. He also mentioned a love for something else that kept him from running for higher office.
“I like myself too much, I think,” he said.
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