McCain won’t support calls to repeal Obamacare now, replace it later
Jul 5, 2017, 12:17 PM | Updated: Mar 1, 2018, 4:01 pm
(AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
(AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
PHOENIX — U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Wednesday he would not support calls to repeal Obamacare now and replace it at a later date.
“I fear we may fall under the trap of repealing and not replacing and that would be bad for America,” he said.
The idea of repealing the Affordable Care Act now and replacing it later gained steam last week after the Senate failed to vote on its health care bill.
President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on Friday that he supported the idea.
“If Republican Senators are unable to pass what they are working on now, they should immediately REPEAL, and then REPLACE at a later date!” Trump wrote.
McCain — who has not said if he supported the Senate bill or not — said he had spoken with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey about the matter.
McCain said Ducey wanted to see at least three amendments to the bill before he would support it.
“I’m getting those amendments written up, so I’ll be ready to present them if and when the bill comes to the floor,” he said. “I believe Gov. Ducey has to play an important role because, as governor, he has the primary responsibility.”
The Congressional Budget Office estimated late last month about 22 million people would lose health care if the Senate bill passed the House and was signed into law.
The Senate plan would also raise premiums for older people, but retained coverage for pre-existing conditions.
