As Rick Perry moves to front of GOP presidential pack, his health policies trigger speculation

Talk is picking up regarding what exactly 'Perrycare' might look like and how much the nation's health care system will factor into his campaign messages.

Kaiser Health News: How Would President Perry Reform Health Care?
Kaiser Health News staff writer Marilyn Werber Serafini and the Texas Tribune's Emily Ramshaw write: "Gov. Rick Perry routinely attacks federal health care reform, calling it a massive overreach that intrudes into the lives of every American. But in the presidential contender's early days on the campaign trail, he has revealed little about what his own 'Perrycare' could look like -; or how much changing American health care will figure into his candidacy" (Werber Serafini and Ramshaw, 8/25).

USA Today: Perry Leads GOP Field After Only A Week In The Race
Perry led former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, the previous front-runner, by 12 percentage points, 29 percent -17 percent, the poll showed. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas placed third with 13 percent support from those surveyed, followed by Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, with 10 percent (Kucinich, 8/24).

Dallas Morning News: Perry Signs 'Pro-Life' Pledge, Joining Six Rivals
Gov. Rick Perry has joined six other GOP presidential candidates in signing a strict pro-life pledge from the Susan B. Anthony List, the group announced this morning. … The pledge sets him apart from rival Mitt Romney, and could help mend fences with social conservatives who remain miffed at Perry's support for the pro-choice former mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, in 2008. … Reps. Michele Bachmann , Ron Paul and Thad McCotter have also signed the pledge. So have former Sen. Rick Santorum and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Former Govs. Romney, Jon Huntsman and Gary Johnson have not. Nor has businessman Herman Cain (Gillman, 8/24).

Politico: Perrycare?
The common theme in Rick Perry's policy proposals, in case you hadn't noticed, is cutting back federal power and devolving authority to the states. That's often a bit of a punt, allowing Perry to recommend whatever policy approach he wants, but with the big disclaimer that it's up to the states to decide what to do. And so it is with health care, where Perry's sketchbook-level policy recommendations mostly center on deregulation and leaning on the 10th Amendment. …The Tribune also notes that Perry will "have to avoid getting hit too hard by Tea Party loyalists" on his attempt to mandate the HPV vaccine for middle-school girls (Burns, 8/25).

NPR: Romney Asks New Hampshire Voters To 'Take Good Look' At Candidates
Romney was also asked about the Massachusetts health-care bill he signed into law as governor. ... One questioner in Keene wondered why Romney wouldn't admit that he'd made a mistake. Romney stood by the law. He said it's not perfect but added that he stands by the law and its mandate. But he said he would no impose such a law on the nation (Gonyea, 8/24).

Politico Pro: A Health Care Sneak Peek At GOP 'Maybes'
The race for the Republican presidential nomination has already shown that candidates' health care records are playing a huge role as the party looks for an answer to "Obamacare." Mitt Romney's health reform in Massachusetts, which served as a model for the Affordable Care Act, is perhaps his largest liability. And Texas Gov. Rick Perry has taken heat from conservatives for mandating an HPV vaccine for young girls -; a decision that he now regrets. That backlash should be a bit of warning to other would-be candidates who are still mulling a presidential bid -; and to the ones various Republicans keep trying to draft. With that in mind, here's a quick look at the health care records for those who still may jump into the GOP race (Millman, 8/25).