House Republicans unveil Obamacare replacement plan

Paul Ryan (pictured last week) said the new plan would "give every American access to quality, affordable health insurance"

US House Republicans have unveiled a long-awaited plan to replace the signature health care law of former US President Barack Obama.

The proposed legislation would repeal penalties for those who do not buy health insurance.

It would also replace income-based subsidies to help with the cost of premiums with age-based tax credits.

Democrats immediately criticised the plan, saying it would drive up the costs of health care.

House committees plan to begin voting on the 123-page legislation on Wednesday.

The Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, helped 20m previously uninsured Americans get health insurance.

However, increases in insurance premiums - which were also a problem before the health law - have irked many Americans.

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The plan from Republicans in the US House of Representatives would reduce the role of the federal government in helping Americans afford healthcare.

"Today marks an important step toward restoring health care choices and affordability back to the American people," the White House said in a statement.

President Donald Trump looked forward to working with Congress to repeal and replace the law, it said.

The president has described Obamacare, which was passed in 2010 and is seen as Mr Obama's signature domestic policy achievement, as "a disaster".

The Republican Party has majorities in both chambers of Congress but divisions remain on the details of what should replace the Affordable Care Act, which is popular in many states, including some governed by Republicans.

The plan is expected to cover fewer people than those who gained insurance under Mr Obama.

A group of four Republican senators have already said that a draft of the legislation they reviewed did not adequately protect low-income people who received Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

They are Rob Portman of Ohio, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Cory Gardner of Colorado and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

Meanwhile, three conservative Republicans in the chamber have suggested the House plan does not go far enough in abolishing Obamacare.

They are Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas.

The chamber's leadership needs the support of at least two of those Republicans if they are to succeed in dismantling Obamacare.

The proposal unveiled on Monday would preserve some popular elements of the existing law, including allowing young people to remain on their parents' insurance plans until the age of 26.

Insurers would also remain banned from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.

'Obamacare-lite'

While penalties for those who don't buy health insurance would be scrapped, those who let their coverage lapse could see their premiums raised by 30% by insurers.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said the bill would "drive down costs, encourage competition, and give every American access to quality, affordable health insurance".

He said no one would have "the rug pulled out from under them".

But some conservatives have already voiced concerns that the bill does not go far enough.

"It still looks like Obamacare-lite to me," said Senator Rand Paul.

On the Democratic side, US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the plan would "force Americans to pay more, all so insurance companies can pad their bottom line".

He also criticised measures that would block for one year federal funding to Planned Parenthood, an organisation opposed by many in the Republican Party because it provides abortions.