The recently approved health-care-reform legislation passed by the Obama administration is under attack from Newt Gingrich, former U. S. House Speaker. He felt that these plans amount to socializing medicine and should be withdrawn.

Gingrich stressed that if the Republicans regain majority in the Congress and come to power by 2013, these changes would be reversed. Gingrich, a Republican from Georgia is also a potential presidential candidate for the 2012 elections. He urged Republicans to block funding for these measures if they gain control of Congress in this year's elections.

He maintained that when the funding for these measures will be sought by the Congress, Republicans will try their best to block these resolutions. He was speaking at an event organized in Richmond at MeadWestvaco Corp.'s downtown headquarters.

Governor Bob McDonnell also expressed his views at the event which was attended by more than 100 business executives, state officials, legislators and representatives of many health care and business-advocacy groups.

McDonnell argued that the cost of Medicaid will rise considerably in the coming years and these costs will more than what is anticipated. He stressed that the states will have no other obtain but to raise taxes dramatically due to these measures.

Supporters of these measures point out that it will extend health coverage to almost 95% of the American population apart from reducing deficits significantly. The measures will also reduce Government overspending and waste.