In an exclusive interview with Opportunity Lives’ “OppCast” podcast on the Ricochet Network, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) outlined a GOP replacement to Obamacare, explaining that the Republican alternative will largely resemble the comprehensive Empowering Patients First Act introduced by now-Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price, M.D.
“We’re basically putting into law the Price plan as our replace plan,” Speaker Ryan explained to Opportunity Lives. “It’s very similar to the bill that Tom Price has worked on for so many years, that many conservatives co-sponsored last year.”
“We’re basically putting into law the Price plan as our replace plan”
Secretary Price, who previously served as the House Committee on the Budget chairman, represented Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District from 2005 to 2017, introduced his patient-centered alternative to Obamacare prior to President Obama’s signature law passing, and he reintroduced it every subsequent Congress. Empowering Patients First even garnered a Senate companion bill from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
Even as the media insist Republicans have no plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, Speaker Ryan’s announcement that the replacement bill would be built upon Secretary Price’s longstanding bill provides insight into the guiding philosophy of a GOP-driven, patient-centered reform package.
Learn Price’s Six Principles of Health Care
Contrary to media reports insinuating Republicans have lost the political will to repeal and replace Obamacare, Speaker Ryan says that House Republicans remain as committed as ever to undoing the law and reforming the system in a way that works for patients.
“We’re moving to this next right now in Congress. We’re on track. We’re on our schedule.”
“We’re moving to this next right now in Congress. We’re on track. We’re on our schedule. Our plan was always this spring to take on the repeal and replace of Obamacare, so we haven’t changed a thing,” Speaker Ryan reiterated. “I notice there’s a lot of white noise in the press on this, but we’re as committed as ever before.”
Listen to full audio of Opportunity Lives interview with Speaker Ryan.
Ellen Carmichael is a senior writer for Opportunity Lives. Follow her on Twitter @ellencarmichael.
The post Opportunity Lives Exclusive: Speaker Ryan Says Price Bill Will Be Obamacare Replacement appeared first on Opportunity Lives.