Zelizer : Since Reagan , liberals have been cautious about health coverage . Conservatives first backed a private health care mandate in the 1970s . Obama touted efficiency in his bill , not the right to affordable care , Zelizer says . Obama 's hesitant defense of a complex bill has n't escaped debate , he says .
Zelizer : Since Reagan , liberals have been cautious about expanding government . Conservatives first backed a private health care mandate in the 1990s . Obama touted efficiency in his bill , not the right to affordable care , Zelizer says . Obama 's hesitant defense of a complex bill has n't inspired support , he says .