Andrew Gillum: Republican Obamacare repeal plan would "gut" Florida healthcare funding

Tallahassee mayor and Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Gillum has come out against the latest GOP effort to replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

In a short series of tweets Monday, Gillum said the Republican “Graham-Cassidy” plan would “gut federal healthcare funding in Florida.” 

The Graham-Cassidy proposal would send a certain amount federal health care money to the 50 states, which could then decide how to spend it. It would also cap medicaid spending, cutting the program over a period of years. 

It is unclear how exactly the proposal would affect Florida, as the Congressional Budget Office has not had a chance to score the bill. But it would likely mean less federal health care dollars for the state.

It is hardly surprising that a prominent Democrat would come out against a Republican effort to dismantle the signature domestic achievement of former president Barack Obama. But Gillum went further than simply announcing his opposition to the Republican plan. 

Gillum also called for an amendment to the state constitution that would make health care a right for all citizens.

A few minutes later, Gillum added, “we won‘t back down.”