On a Party Line Vote, Romney’s Healthcare Vetoes Overridden
          Along party lines, the House voted 136-20 yesterday to override Republican Gov. Mitt Romney’s veto of a new assessment on certain employers who don’t offer health insurance. The health bill, with its mandate that forces individuals to buy insurance or face tax penalties, is moving ahead unaltered.
          Republicans pointed to the fact that the $295 assessment represented on a small amount of revenue needed for the bill overall, but was punitive to smaller businesses struggling in the Bay State.
          Rep. Vinny deMacedo, R-Plymouth, called on lawmakers to sustain Romney's veto of the assessment, saying it unfairly targets some struggling, smaller businesses."These are the small mom and pops that can't afford insurance for themselves, let alone their employees," he said.
          Republican opponents argued the new fee will further dissuade businesses from locating here and add to the costs businesses currently face.
          The healthcare proposal has been challenged by Libertarian groups around the country, citing the fact that there is something inherently wrong with forcing an individual to buy an expensive product as a basis for living in the state. Romney addressed the question in an interview in Washington yesterday, stating “Some of my libertarian friends forget is that today everybody who doesn't have insurance is getting free coverage from the government.”
          Critics point out that the statement is patently false, since many people who don’t have coverage actually pay their medical bills out of their own pocket.