White House spokesman Sean Spicer downplayed the split within the Republican Party about how to repeal or reform Obamacare, and said anyone who is conservative should see the House GOP plan as a step toward improving the system.
“The thing that’s really interesting… about the current approach is that, no matter where you are, especially on the conservative side, you cannot possibly believe that the current healthcare system is an effective program,” Spicer said.
“It is a monstrosity, it is a government… government gone wrong,” he added.
Spicer: Current healthcare system "is a monstrosity." https://t.co/tkD5eMDW1i pic.twitter.com/pfOTHaDzjf— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 9, 2017
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., tweeted Thursday morning that Republicans should “pause” and “start over,” and many other conservatives say the GOP plan keeps too much of Obamacare in place.
But GOP leaders and the White House have said there are practical limits to how Obamacare can be taken down. The GOP plan is to whittle away at parts of the law through a reconciliation bill that can pass the Senate with just 51 votes.
Spicer said after that, “phase two” of the process will involve Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price gutting Obamacare regulations. After that, “phase three” will be drawing up legislation to get rid of the rest, and make other reforms.
