Perry's health benefits noted; Romney and Perry spar on immigrants and health care

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is entitled to a lucrative pension from his government job that includes lifetime health care paid for by the state, The Texas Tribune reports. Meanwhile, Perry and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney exchanged barbs about their records.

The Texas Tribune: Perry Entitled to Big State Pension, Health Benefits
As a Texas governor and presidential candidate, Rick Perry has repeatedly turned to the marketplace for policy solutions to health care and retirement security. But as a private citizen, Perry has generally relied on the government. Perry is a member of what the Texas Employees Retirement System (ERS) calls "the elected class," which provides the kind of lucrative pension benefits that have all but disappeared from the private sector. Under its provisions, Perry, 61, could have retired at age 50 with lifetime health care paid for by the state (Root, 11/7).

On Friday, former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney announced his plans for entitlement reform. Kaiser Health News has a roundup of the coverage from the weekend: Romney Unveils Plan To Revamp Medicare, Medicaid.

The Associated Press: Romney Automated Calls Assail Perry In Iowa
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney paid for automated telephone messages in Iowa accusing rival Rick Perry of contributing to illegal immigration. ... Perry's campaign said Friday the attacks raise questions about whether a bill Romney signed in Massachusetts allowed illegal immigrants access to health care benefits (Beaumont, 11/4).

The Associated Press: Republican Presidential Candidates On The Issues
Here's where the 2012 Republican presidential candidates stand on a selection of issues. They are Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, businessman Herman Cain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Utah Gov. John Huntsman, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum (11/7).

Des Moines Register: Iowa Poll: GOP Caucusgoers No Fans Of Health Law
The latest Iowa Poll brings hard data to a widespread perception in the Republican caucus race: Prospective Iowa GOP caucusgoers despise the new federal health care law. Sixty-three percent of those polled believe they would be better off if the law were repealed. Just 11 percent say trashing the law -; known derisively among Republicans as "Obamacare" -; would make them worse off (Noble, 11/7).

Meanwhile, in the Democratic camp, the campaign is personal for one of the president's advisers.

Denver Post: 'Obamacare' Inspires Coloradan To Leadership In President's Campaign
When Americans talk about "Obamacare," it's personal for Katherine Archuleta, the Coloradan tapped to serve as political director for President Barack Obama's re-election campaign. Her daughter, Graciela Gonzales, was diagnosed in 1999 with ovarian cancer. Gonzales, who attends Brown University, will turn 23 next month. Because of Obama's Affordable Care Act, she can stay on her parents' insurance until she turns 26. And starting in 2014, Gonzales can't be denied insurance because of a pre-existing condition (Bartels, 11/7).