Howard Dean: Cruz Pushing 'Crazy Ideas' on Obamacare

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean has a word for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz' comments about Obamacare: "crazy."

"Ted Cruz may be a very good politician, but he certainly doesn’t know anything about health care," said Dean, who appeared with Cruz on the CNN "State of the Union" program over the weekend.. "These are crazy ideas that are from the far right."

One of Cruz's ideas in particular — buying health-insurance policies across state lines — is ill-conceived, Dean said.

"Buying insurance across state lines is a terrible idea," he said. "I don't want anything to do with Texas' health care system in Vermont, and I don't want our people buying Texas health insurance."

Dean pointed out Obamacare calls for the eventual separation of health insurance from employment — something Cruz demanded during the interview.

"He's a slick spokesman, and God help us if he ever does get to be anything more than a senator from Texas," Dean said. "I was not a supporter of Obamacare when it passed. I am now. I think this ought to be implemented. It's going to help a lot of people. I think it's going to improve health care significantly in this country."