Senate Democrats needed to join with Republicans and "quit being passive" to craft new healthcare legislation to fix the problems brought about by Obamacare, said Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La.
"Right now, Democrats are sitting on the sidelines in the Senate," Cassidy told CNN on Tuesday. "They say things — 'Well, I haven't been called yet.' My god, quit being passive. Come forward with proposals to help those middle-class families paying too much for their premiums."
Republican senators are working on healthcare legislation after the House passed the American Health Care Act last Thursday which amends Obamacare and replaces several of its key components.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has named a panel of 13 senators to study changes to the healthcare law, all of whom are Republicans, The Hill reported Tuesday.
Democrats have appeared reluctant to change Obamacare, which did not receive any Republican votes when it passed in 2010. No Democrats voted in favor of the House healthcare bill last week.
Cassidy invited Democrats to "Come to Mitch McConnell with an idea that might lower (Obamacare) premiums," Cassidy said Tuesday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
He also explained that a healthcare plan he's discussed with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, would cover pre-existing conditions while keeping insurance affordable.
"Under our plan everyone of the same age is charged the same amount," he said. "The older people might be charged a little bit more, but the credit might be a little bit more."
Cassidy also explained changes could be made without an individual mandate, but with a system that automatically enrolls people, The Washington Times reported.
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