Ron Paul: Medicare in Constitution

Ron Paul is known for his libertarian views, and he's drawing lots of people in this week's swing through New Hampshire.

Republican presidential candidate US Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) speaks to voters at Joey's Diner in Amherst, New Hampshire on Dec. 14.

Brian Snyder/Reuters

December 14, 2011

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul wants the federal government out of the health care business.

Paul is known for his libertarian views, and he's drawing lots of people in this week's swing through New Hampshire.

He told an overflow crowd of about 500 at an event Tuesday night that there's no provision in the Constitution for Medicare and Medicaid, the federal programs that cover millions of seniors and children.

The congressman from Texas says individual states should be left to provide whatever health care coverage they want.

Paul says he doesn't want to throw seniors and children off federal health care programs. But he says a free society shouldn't let government meddle in important services like health care.