Manchin calls for yearlong shift to O-Care

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said on Sunday that ObamaCare is a step in the “right direction,” but Americans need time to adjust to President Obama’s signature healthcare reform law.

{mosads}While speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Candy Crowley Sunday morning, Manchin touted his bipartisan bill with Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) that pushes for a delay of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate.

“Is this the right thing? Probably not,” Manchin said of ObamaCare. “Is it a step moving in the right direction? Yes.”

“When we rank 43rd in the world on wellness, then you need to do something.”

“I am worried about having a product that the market will buy. So we said, ‘Why don’t we have 2014 be a transitional year?’ ” Manchin said.

Manchin has long voiced his opposition to the mandate, which requires uninsured individuals to either purchase health insurance coverage or pay a fine.