Kasich on Senate GOP healthcare bill: ‘I am against it’

Ohio Governor John Kasich (R) said Sunday he is against the Senate GOP’s healthcare plan, saying that it is inadequate and needs to be fixed.

“Well, I don’t think the bill’s adequate now. Unless it gets fixed, I would — look, I’m against it,” Kasich told host Dana Bash on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Kasich said he needs to ensure that the vulnerable people in his state receive the care they need.

{mosads}”My job, as I see my job as a governor of a state — not as a Republican governor, but the governor of this state — my job is to look not just today, but in the out-years, at the impact it’s going to have on people who need help,” Kasich continued.

Kasich recounted seeing 25 children eating at a Wendy’s in Columbus, Ohio, who were in the state for a Special Olympics event and wondering if the new healthcare bill would protect and cover them.

“And I looked at them and thought, ‘Are these people being served? Are they going to be served by this bill in the future?’ My conclusion right now is no,” the Republican governor said.

“Can we improve this bill? I think they could improve it. I hope they do,” he added.

Kasich said he had “deep concerns” last week during the rollout of the healthcare plan, which repeals and replaces key ObamaCare provisions.

“I have deep concerns with the details of the U.S. Senate’s plan to fix America’s health care system and the resources needed to help our most vulnerable, including those who are dealing with drug addiction, mental illness, and chronic health problems and have no where else to turn,” Kasich said in a statement Thursday.