Health care becomes focal point in election year

The sprint to November 6 is increasingly getting raucous as the election date approaches. Barely a day passes by without the candidates firing a salvo on each other. This time, health care is in focus with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney declaring that he will back some of the features of the 2010 health-care law that he earlier pledged to repeal. Romney thunders in NBC interviewrnIn an interview aired on Sunday, Romney thundered that he will retain certain popular parts of the controversial law that he believes make some sense. He terms the law as a costly and inefficient one. The former Massachusetts governor also lamented Congressional Republicans who favored President Obama on a proposed cut on defense spending, something his running mate, Paul Ryan, has vehemently supported. “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 in an interview given to NBC's 'Meet the Press'. His camp denies that his comments are merely an attempt to seek attention of swing voters. Romney, who attended Church in Boston before proceeding for debate-practice sessions, was short on specifics. Though he said that competition will help in lowering insurance costs, he did not list how he is going to deal with its affordability. As per his spokesman Kevin Madden, Republican demands for repeal of the 2010 health-care law and support of some of its popular provisions stand. Madden stated, “Repealing Obamacare is a focus because it costs too much and the taxes and regulations are hurting small business. That’s common sense. Affordability and portability of health-care insurance aren’t partisan issues." President hits backrnPresident Obama, on the other hand, brought back the nation's attention to Republicans' stand on Medicare. Unfazed by weak August jobs report, he attacked Republicans for the havoc that their proposals will unleash on older workers and those nearing their retirement The president said, “No American should have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies."