BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Latest on the reaction from Louisiana members of Congress to the federal health law replacement proposal drawn up by House Republican leaders (all times local):
4:45 p.m.
Another Louisiana Republican member of Congress has stopped short of endorsing the GOP House leadership’s proposal to replace President Barack Obama’s health law.
Rep. Mike Johnson, who represents northwest Louisiana’s 4th District, says he’s following the legislation as it moves through House committee review. Johnson says he’s “actively discussing and researching possible amendments and alternatives with my colleagues.”
But he didn’t embrace the current plan as is.
The response to the replacement proposal from nearly all the GOP members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation has been muted, with most of the lawmakers saying they’re still studying it.
Nationally, Republicans are divided on the proposal, which has the backing of President Donald Trump. Conservatives say parts of the legislation are too pricey, while moderates worry about some cuts to state Medicaid programs.
___
2:40 p.m.
Louisiana’s majority-Republican congressional delegation hasn’t exactly embraced the GOP proposal to replace President Barack Obama’s health care law.
Only Rep. Steve Scalise, the third-ranking House Republican and a member of the leadership team pushing the replacement plan, has given a full-throated endorsement to the legislation.
Other Louisiana Republicans in Congress are more reticent, saying they’re studying it.
Rep. Ralph Abraham says Congress is “on the right road,” but he stopped short of backing the legislation, citing outstanding questions.
A spokesman for Rep. Clay Higgins said the congressman was “still learning about it.”
Representatives for Reps. Garret Graves and Mike Johnson didn’t respond Wednesday to inquiries about the bill.
Both of the state’s U.S. senators, Republicans Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, say they’re still digging into details of the proposal.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.