Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says GOP health care bill has ‘room for improvement’

PHOENIX — The health care bill introduced by Republican lawmakers that could replace Obamacare has “room for improvement,” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said Tuesday.

Ducey told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac & Gaydos that he is “thrilled to have the opportunity to repeal Obamacare,” but that he believes there is “room for improvement.”

The Republican replacement bill, called the American Health Care Act, came under fire Monday after a nonpartisan government agency found that 14 million Americans would lose coverage under the act in the next year.

Ducey said his top priority when it comes to health care reform is to ensure that Arizonans can get the coverage they need at an affordable rate.

“I’m glad the Affordable Care Act is going to be repealed, but the last thing we want to do is transition people off of a program where they have no where to go,” Ducey said.

The Republican governor said he is “confident” lawmakers can drum up a better bill, adding that this health care reform can be the best in 50 years “if it is done right.”

“Otherwise, I don’t know how it can get out of the House and the Senate,” Ducey said.