Sen. Ron Johnson said he's undecided on where he stands on the revised Senate Republican health care bill during a stop in Green Bay Friday.
Sen. Johnson addressed Wisconsin leaders and Green Bay's Chamber of Commerce about the health care debate, saying he's concerned about the details Senator Mitch McConnell has brought up.
He said he plans to vote to start a debate on the revised bill, and he can't support a bill that "doesn't even come close to repealing Obamacare."
On Friday, he said the current bill doesn't do enough to reduce premiums.
Sen. Johnson also discussed what he believes are problems with Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, which he says made the program available to able-bodied, working age adults. He said that costs too much and takes Medicaid funding from people who need it most, like the elderly, children and the disabled.
He believes state Medicaid programs have been far more effective.
"Devolving the management of Medicaid back down to states, states like Wisconsin, have been far more efficient," said Johnson. "In doing so, we do interject some consumer driven free market competition by encouraging more use of HSA's for example, to purchase insurance premiums."
Johnson said he's concerned about mixed messages from Republican Senate leaders, saying he wants more debate before a vote on the bill.
He also visited Ariens Company in Brillion during his stop in Northeast Wisconsin Friday. During that time, protestors waited outside his visit and demanded he vote against the bill.
Protestors said no bill that cuts health insurance should pass, arguing despite the revisions, the newest bill falls short.
"This new bill isn't any better, it's still going to kick people off health insurance, and it just doesn't provide the protections that patients need in order to get quality affordable care," said Renee Gasch with Citizen Action Northeast Wisconsin.
Protestors voiced concerns about Medicaid cuts as well, arguing they unfairly target the most vulnerable in society.
