GOP rep: We need more time to ‘digest’ ObamaCare plan

by Rebecca Savransky - 03/09/17 8:34 AM ET

Republican @SteveKingIA on speed of #Obamacarerepeal bill: "We should have had more time to digest it" https://t.co/MtEO8Bcont

— New Day (@NewDay) March 9, 2017

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) said Thursday he thinks there should have been more time for lawmakers to “digest” the GOP’s plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

“The White House and the leadership has had a discussion about how they want the timing of this to work, and so they rolled this bill out,” King, a supporter of President Trump, said on CNN’s “New Day.”

“And we should have had more time to digest it. I’d rather see it out there for a week or 10 days before they go to committee to mark it up.”

{mosads}Republicans on Monday unveiled their legislation to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

The new legislation would undo ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion and eliminate the individual mandate that requires individuals to purchase health coverage or pay a fine. The plan would also create a new tax credit system to incentivize individuals to purchase coverage.

The House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday advanced the GOP’s legislation on a party-line vote, moving the process forward.

Meanwhile, the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday morning was still working through about 100 amendments proposed by Democrats.

King said that with the fast timetable, there isn’t much time for people to bring amendments to try to make changes.

“We don’t get amendments passed unless we get public support for that,” King said.

“And it takes time for the organizations from outside to weigh in. I’d just like to see more time.”

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