Donald Trump on Tuesday told the New York Times that Republican lawmakers should repeal Obamacare and replace it with a new health care law at the same time, and that he would not agree to delay a replacement plan beyond a few weeks.
“Long to me would be weeks,” Trump told the New York Times, referring to a replacement delay. “It won’t be repeal and then two years later go in with another plan.”
Trump’s comments differ from the planned approach from congressional Republican leaders, who have proposed repealing Obamacare quickly, but delaying a replacement plan for up to two or three years. His comments are more in line with the apprehension displayed by some Republicans this week who are concerned about delaying a replacement plan. Certain key senators, as well as members of the House Freedom Caucus, have indicated that they need to see more details about a replacement plan before supporting a repeal of Obamacare.
After those hesitations surfaced, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) said on Tuesday that repeal and replace should take place “concurrently.”
Trump seemed confident that Republicans on the Hill would be able to repeal Obamacare very soon and come up with a replacement plan shortly thereafter. He told the New York Times that Republicans should vote on repeal “probably some time next week,” and he said that the replacement should come “very quickly or simultaneously, very shortly thereafter.”
