News

Actions

Sen. Johnson: health care bill needs review

Posted at 9:45 PM, Jun 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-21 23:43:23-04

Republican Senator Ron Johnson warned against quick action on the Republican-backed American Health Care Act in an interview Wednesday.

He warned he will vote against the bill if it is not afforded enough time for public scrutiny. 

"What I've told leadership very clearly is I'm going to need time and my constituents are going to need time to evaluate exactly how this will affect them," Johnson said.

The bill has not had a public hearing on the senate floor or in committee as of this writing.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) of Kentucky, told reporters he wanted the bill passed before the July 4th holiday.

But Johnson balked at the pace McConnell is pushing the law through the process.

"I personally think that holding a vote on this next week would definitely be rushed," Johnson said.

The vote comes as another insurer plans to part from federal health insurance exchanges created through the Affordable Care Act.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will no longer be apart of the exchanges, except in Menominee County.

The move is estimated to cut coverage to 14,000 people across Wisconsin.