A top conservative think tank is upset that a Republican plan to repeal and partially replace Obamacare expands on the healthcare law’s “flawed progressive premises.”
“Many Americans seeking health insurance on the individual market will notice no significant difference between the Affordable Care Act (i.e., Obamacare) and the American Health Care Act,” said Michael Needham, CEO of Heritage Action, the political arm of the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation. “That is bad politics and, more importantly, bad policy.”
Heritage’s anger followed recriminations from conservatives in the House and Senate who called the plan “Obamacare lite” and “Obamacare 2.0.” Conservatives have been upset at the GOP leadership’s plan to use refundable tax credits to reduce the cost of insurance instead of using tax deductions, calling the tax credits an entitlement.
Needham said Republicans should fully repeal the law and begin “a genuine effort to deliver on long-standing campaign promises that create a free-market healthcare system.”
Nevertheless, GOP leadership is moving forward with the American Health Care Act, which will be marked up by House committees on Wednesday.
The House hopes to pass it by the end of the month and the Senate before the Easter recess.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised the plan Tuesday, saying it is “the next step along.”
