Rep. Darrell Issa said Monday that he's not quite prepared to vote for the American Health Care Act, as he believes there are many ways the legislation can still be improved.
"It's not because of a specific [way] this is unacceptable, but because we can do better in a number of areas, including we still have a problem of the shrinking pools that were created under the Affordable Care Act," the California Republican told Fox News' "Fox and Friends" program.
"It's important to make sure that cost for coverage isn't skewed by a large amount for sick people, because if that happens, there will be many people moved back into Medicaid or other aides," Issa continued.
He said he is also concerned about the budget costs for the program, leading him to believe that there is still more work that can be done on the legislation.
Issa also commented on a pair of heated town hall meetings, and said there were many constituents who had "false information" that led to fears about healthcare reforms and other issues.
However, he did say that many of those speaking out had information he'll take back to Washington with him, including concerns about continued mental health coverage.
One person at the meeting handed him a free copy of "Climate Change for Beginners," said Issa, but that was a "declared candidate who decided he was going to use an official event as a campaign event."
But at any rate, the meetings, even when they turn heated, are part of American democracy, said Issa.
"The challenge is to make sure you do still get to your constituents, while there are sometimes people who want to break up that event with their behavior," said Issa. "A great many are active members of an organized group that does not support Donald Trump. … There are people, even if they never vote for me, they still have a need and a reason to be heard. We were able to give, including streaming to tens of thousands, that opportunity."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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