After years of constant criticism, Republicans have finally rolled out their replacement to the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as "Obamacare." While many on the right, including President Donald Trump, are happy with the proposal, one prominent Republican is pushing back.
Trump on Paul
When former President Barack Obama signed Obamacare into law, it was instantly hit with backlash from those on the political right. For years, Republicans and the right-wing media made attacking the new health care law a top priority, which became almost a prerequisite for a conservative candidate running for office.
Donald Trump made criticizing Obamacare a central theme of his presidential campaign, which helped lead him to victory last November. On Monday, House Republicans announced the "American Health Care Act" with the hope that it could make it to the president's desk. In addition to expected attacks from Democrats, Republican Sen. Rand Paul came out hard against the bill during a Tuesday morning interview on Fox News. Responding to Paul's criticism was Donald Trump, who addressed the issue on Twitter on March 7.
I feel sure that my friend @RandPaul will come along with the new and great health care program because he knows Obamacare is a disaster!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2017
"The House leadership plan is Obamacare Lite," Rand Paul told the hosts of "Fox and "Friends" on Fox News." Not stopping there, Paul went on to predict that "It will not pass," stating, "Conservatives are not going to take it." Paul's comments don't come as a complete surprise, as some conservatives don't believe that the proposal goes far enough.
ICYMI: @RandPaul predicts the House GOP's Obamacare replacement bill is not going to pass pic.twitter.com/gyo5TBN6vf
— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) March 7, 2017
On Tuesday night, Donald Trump went back to his Twitter account to offer his official response to Rand Paul. "I feel sure that my friend @RandPaul will come along with the new and great health care program because he knows Obamacare is a disaster!" Trump tweeted out.
Earlier in the day, Trump gave his endorsement of the health care replacement. "It's a complicated process, but actually it's very simple," Trump said, while adding, "It's called good health care."
Next up
While Republicans have finally offered their own replacement to Obamacare, it's expected to face a tough battle in the Senate. Democrats have already vowed to push back, while Rand Paul and a handful of other Republicans remain skeptical at best.
