Whole Foods founder and CEO John Mackey would like to revise a previous accusation that Obamacare is a form of socialism.
"It's more like fascism," Mackey recently told NPR. "In fascism, the government doesn't own the means of production, but they do control it -- and that's what's happening with our health care programs and these reforms."
Mackey, a libertarian, compared Obamacare to "socialism" in a Wall Street Journal op-ed he penned in 2009. Obamacare would "move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care system," he proclaimed.
The op-ed infuriated Whole Foods' liberal customer base, Time reported at the time. Some customers boycotted the organic food chain in protest, according to ABC.
Whole Foods could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.
Other CEOs have criticized Obamacare for intervening in the health care market. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz told the Seattle Times last year that although more Americans should have health insurance, "the pressure on small businesses, because of the mandate, is too great."
Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini has said that health insurance premiums could double because of Obamacare. And Cheesecake Factory CEO David Overton said in December that Obamacare "will be very costly" and force most businesses to raise prices or "cheapen their product."
Some business executives plan to pass higher costs on to employees and customers.
Papa John's CEO John Schnatter said last year that he plans to raise prices and cut employee hours because of Obamacare. A Wendy's franchisee in Omaha, Neb. is cutting employee hours in an attempt to sidestep the Obamacare requirement that businesses employing more than 50 workers provide health insurance to full-time employees.
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