Gingrich’s Big Flip-Flop: Was For Insurance Mandate Before He Was Against It

Monday, 16 May 2011 07:43 PM
By David A. Patten

Newt Gingrich was for the individual mandate for health insurance before he was against it -– that was the impression given Monday in a John Kerry-esque video that the former House Speaker’s campaign staff hurriedly released to quell a firestorm of criticism about comments he made Sunday on "Meet the Press."

During that appearance, Gingrich told NBC’s David Gregory he still backed a requirement that every citizen purchase health insurance or post a bond for insurance. The stipulation that every citizen must purchase health insurance or pay a penalty is a core provision of the Obamacare health care plan.

Gingrich also sharply attacked GOP Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to rein in entitlements. Gingrich called Ryan’s plan “radicalâ€