Ducey is ‘very concerned’ with how GOP health bill could affect Arizona
Jul 11, 2017, 6:37 AM | Updated: 11:23 am
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX — Amid talks on Capitol Hill to pass a Republican health care bill to replace Obamacare, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey expressed concerns.
In his monthly visit with KTAR News’ Mac and Gaydos on Monday, Ducey was asked whether he’d had ongoing discussions with Arizona Senators Jeff Flake and John McCain over the recent GOP proposal.
“I am talking with Sens. Flake and McCain and I’m telling them what my opinion is, and I’m letting them know that I don’t want to see any Arizonan have the rug pulled out from underneath them,” Ducey said. “So, I’ve been very outspoken. This Senate bill needs a lot of work.”
An original bill from the Republicans, the American Health Care Act, was withdrawn from being voted on at the last minute back in March. Since then, Republicans have worked on bringing a new bill to a vote as part of the right’s “repeal and replace” initiative as it pertains to Obamacare. Some have suggested repealing Obamacare and replacing it later.
If Republican Senators are unable to pass what they are working on now, they should immediately REPEAL, and then REPLACE at a later date!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 30, 2017
McCain has said he won’t support a plan to nix Obamacare without a replacement.
“I don’t like the bill the way it is right now,” Ducey said. “I’m very concerned as to how it would affect the state of Arizona… And right now, this bill as written, as presented, the one you’re hearing about on the news — I don’t think that one as its written right now has any chance of passing the Senate or the House.”
A June report said that 22 million Americans may be without insurance if the current GOP health bill were to pass.
“I want to see every Arizonan have access to affordable health care,” Ducey said.