McIntosh: GOP Healthcare Plan 'Not a Full Repeal of Obamacare'

The head of conservative group Club for Growth slammed the healthcare plan created by congressional Republicans, suggesting they "move back to a full repeal of Obamacare."

Former GOP congressman David McIntosh appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" to discuss the replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act orchestrated by House Speaker Paul Ryan.

"What I would think they can do is now open up this process and at that time Ryancare version and move back to a full repeal of Obamacare, and put in about five or six changes that are Republican core principles," he said.

"Cut all of the taxes immediately, block grant medicaid, force the insurance industry to compete across state lines, get rid of the regulations, get rid of the new kind of welfare program and the tax credit. And then they can have a bill that could score well and would be solidly supported by the conservative Republican base. That's their chance to get it through and, frankly, their best chance to get it through the Senate as well."

McIntosh added, "Paul Ryan did it like a think-tank where they cooked it with nobody looking and full board sprung on a bill that nobody knew anything about. And sadly, it was not a full repeal of Obamacare that Republicans had promised over and over again for four different elections they would do."

President Donald Trump and top White House staff met with the leaders of multiple conservative groups, including Club for Growth, on Wednesday to discuss the healthcare bill.

McIntosh told The Washington Post after the meeting that "The president asked us: 'Don't be doom and gloom, and against getting this done.' He emphasized that there will be three phases to this, and he said 'I wish they'd done a better job; then maybe you'd have realized some of your issues are being taken care of,'" referring to House Republicans.

"I'm most optimistic that they're actually pushing back in the House and ultimately in the Senate to improve the bill," McIntosh added. "They're not saying that in public, but they're negotiating."

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