Meghan McCain: ‘I’m deeply disappointed’ in GOP health care flop
Mar 29, 2017, 6:32 PM | Updated: Mar 30, 2017, 7:43 am
(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)
(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)
PHOENIX — Meghan McCain, the daughter of Arizona Sen. John McCain and host on Fox News’ “Outnumbered,” called the GOP’s recent withdrawal of their health care bill “ridiculous.”
The criticism came days after House Republicans decided to pull the American Health Care Act before it was even brought to the floor. The bill was the GOP’s first attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare since President Donald Trump promised such a move in his campaign.
While McCain said she wasn’t happy with the bill in its original form, she nonetheless expressed her ire over the Republicans’ backing out at the final hour.
“To completely throw everything out without letting it go through the three stages that we were promised, I think was ridiculous,” McCain told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac & Gaydos. “I was actually really surprised that they ended up pulling the bill at the last minute, just because it has been such a cornerstone promise for the last seven years, but especially the last two years.”
The last-minute plot twist drew mixed reaction from the public, but McCain didn’t pull any punches in her frustration with House Speaker Paul Ryan.
“I blame everyone,” she said. “I blame President Trump, Paul Ryan, the Freedom Caucus, and every Republican member of Congress who couldn’t get their act together and work together for the good of the American public.”
McCain noted that Arizona was hit particularly hard by the Republican party’s failure to quickly replace Obamacare. Less than two weeks ago, an analysis reported that higher insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act have caused a decline in insurance signups.
She also proposed a way to expedite the Republican effort to replace Obamacare.
“If I were president right now, I would get the top members — [Freedom Caucus leader] Justin Amash … people like Congressman [Adam] Kinzinger, … and Paul Ryan, and I would put them in the room and say ‘You’re not allowed to leave until you come up with a collective plan that we can all agree on and present in front of the American public.'”
McCain said she’s been an ardent supporter and defender of Ryan, but admitted her displeasure with him in light of the recent events.
“And I have been a fan of Paul Ryan for a very long time, I have defended Paul Ryan,” she said. “And if this is the best you’ve got, I’m with these people who say he should step down. Because if this is what his leadership is, I’m out as well.”
