Conservatives slam Trump-backed plan to replace Obamacare

Conservatives oppose proposal under the administration of US President Donald Trump to replace Obamacare healthcare law. The president endorsed the Republican legislation on Tuesday and has since faced criticisms from conservative groups and lawmakers, reducing its chances for passage in the US Congress.

Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee called the proposal "exactly the type of back-room dealing and rushed process that we criticized Democrats for." Democrats say it will leave millions of Americans with no health insurance, as the proposed move will only benefit the rich, notes Reuters.

Representative Mark Meadows of North Carolina believes that the fiscal impact of the proposed plan will be known in the future, but there is only one score that would capture the attention of Americans and that is whether it really lowers the cost of their health care.

Republican Representative Louie Gohmert of Texas appeared hopeful that the legislation could be improved to gratify the concerns of conservatives.

Earlier this week, Republican US House of Representatives leaders announced legislation to do away with Obamacare which limits the requirement that most Americans obtain medical insurance. It also creates a system of tax credits to entice people to avail of private insurance on the open market. Speaker Paul Ryan said the plan is something that conservatives should be excited about.

Republican Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio has also unveiled his own bill to repeal Obamacare. "We think you have to get rid of Obamacare completely," he said.

The 2010 Affordable Care Act, more popularly known as Obamacare, is popular to several states as it has brought medical coverage to about 20 million American people that were previously uninsured.

The proposed plan to replace Obamacare must be approved by the House and the Senate before it could be signed by the president. Trump had described the draft as a “wonderful new Healthcare Bill" and assured that it is now out for review and negotiation.

"I really believe we're going to have tremendous support,” the POTUS said of the plan as he speaks with Republican lawmakers. Mick Mulvaney, White House Office of Budget and Management director, said the proposed move must pass the House before lawmakers break in mid-April.

Meanwhile, Senator Roy Blunt told reporters that he will be very “anxious” to hear how they have achieved 51 votes and the House gets to 218. The senator was reportedly referring to the minimum number of votes needed for passage in the two chambers.