Ariz. delegation weighs in on GOP’s ACA repeal plan

A couple oppose, but most are still reviewing details of new health bill

Arizona’s congressional delegation has been slow to outline their views on a Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama’s signature health-care law.

House Republican leadership unveiled the plan they are calling the American Health Care Act last week.

Here’s where the Arizona delegation stands so far.

Sen. John McCain, Republican: His staff says he is still reviewing the details. There are no public statements on his website or his usual social-media accounts.

Sen. Jeff Flake, Republican: His staff says he is still reviewing the details. There are no public statements on his website or his usual social-media accounts.

Rep. Tom O’Halleran, Democrat: Opposes the plan.

“Under this plan, our rural communities will be disproportionately impacted by the repeal of Medicaid coverage, seniors will have to pay higher premiums and face soaring costs for care, and CEOs will get a tax break on the backs of hardworking Arizona families. This is unconscionable and completely misguided. The American people deserve better. This plan is neither affordable nor does it provide quality care for the vast majority of Arizona families.”

Rep. Martha McSally, Republican: No public statements on her website or usual socialmedia accounts.

Rep. Raúl Grijalva, Democrat: Opposes the plan.

“The Republican plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act achieves exactly what its authors intended — it ends affordable healthcare . ... This isn’t a plan to improve public health; it’s a scheme to give millionaires and billionaires tax breaks at the expense of the poor and the sick . ... This bill doesn’t just fail at providing affordable coverage to the American people — it betrays the very intent to help those who need it most.”

Rep. Paul Gosar, Republican: He hasn’t issued any public statements on his website or usual social-media accounts, but is unhappy with the bill as it was introduced.

In an interview with the Hill after party leaders framed it as siding with President Donald Trump or Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, DCalif., Gosar said:

“I don’t take that argument. It’s not an either-or” situation, he said. “You transplant a bad bill with a bad bill, it’s still a bad bill. And what happens when you make a promise to the American public and it doesn’t come true? So I don’t buy that. I don’t appreciate being lumped in one way or the other.”

Rep. Andy Biggs, Republican: His staff says he is still reviewing the details. There are no public statements on his website or his usual social-media accounts.

Rep. David Schweikert, Republican: Supports the plan.

He voted Thursday with fellow Republicans to pass the bill from the House Ways and Means Committee. He has also offered a series of tweets and Facebook posts critical of the ACA.

“Arizonans should be allowed to use any credits or subsidies outside of the government run exchanges, for any products that they want and need . ... ACA has had a devastating effect on AZ’s exchanges; leaving 100s w/ no choice between plans and in some cases no affordable coverage at all . ... Obamacare has been a disaster for many Arizonans. It’s time to resolve the problems Obamacare has caused in Arizona and across our nation.”

Rep. Ruben Gallego, Democrat: Opposes the plan.

“The GOP’s ‘repeal and replace’ bill will gut Medicaid and weaken Medicare in order to fund tax breaks for millionaires. I will also not support a bill that leaves millions of families without Medicaid and millions of women without access to reproductive healthcare. The Republican healthcare plan will cut taxes for the top 1% while blowing a $346 billion hole in federal budgets and the Medicare Trust Fund . ... This bill is little more than a tax giveaway to millionaires, billionaires and insurance companies.”

Rep. Trent Franks, Republican: No public statements on his website or usual socialmedia accounts.

Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, Democrat: It’s unclear whether she could support the GOP plan, but she condemned the rush to vote on it last week.

“Asking members of Congress to vote on a bill before they or the American public know the budget, pricing, or coverage impacts of the proposal is foolish and potentially harmful to hardworking Arizona families. Healthcare reform should control costs and improve quality and access for hardworking Arizona families. To judge any replacement legislation, we need to know how the proposal will impact premiums, how many people will be covered, and how much it will cost taxpayers.”

“The American people deserve better. This plan is neither affordable nor does it provide quality care for the vast majority of Arizona families.”