Kasich, Pence spar over GOP Obamacare replacement bill

COLUMBUS - The Senate Republicans' latest attempt to overhaul Obamacare doesn't impress Gov. John Kasich.

"The Senate plan is still unacceptable," Kasich said in a statement Friday. "These shortcomings flow from the fact that the Senate plan commits the same error as Obamacare – it’s not bipartisan."

Kasich has opposed all forms of Republicans' efforts to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's signature health care law. In 2013, Kasich helped expand Medicaid to more than 700,000 lower-income Ohioans through Obamacare. The governor worries what cuts to that program would stymie Ohio's response to its heroin and opioid crisis. 

Vice President Mike Pence seemed to respond to Kasich’s criticism of the bill during a speech on Friday to the National Governors Association. Pence mentioned Kasich’s name as he touted the Senate health care bill’s changes to Medicaid, saying the phase-out of the Medicaid expansion and cuts to future Medicaid spending are necessary to keep that safety-net program sustainable and available for those who need it most.

“In Ohio alone,” Pence said, “nearly 60,000 disabled citizens are stuck in waiting lists (for Medicaid), leaving them without the care they need for months or even years.” Although the transcript is not clear, Pence seemed to suggest that Kasich must be “very troubled” by that wait list.

Jon Keeling, a spokesman for Kasich, called Pence's wait-list comments "completely untrue." He said such assertions have been "totally discredited" in previous news reports. 

Pence's pitch comes at a perilous moment for the Senate bill.

Two Republican senators have already come out against the latest plan, which eliminated some tax cuts for the wealthy, allowed more insurance policies with limited coverage and increased money for the fight against drugs. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. cannot afford to lose more votes.

Kasich's opposition to the plan could put pressure on Ohio's Republican senator: Rob Portman, of Terrace Park. Portman has said "he's not there yet" on the newest proposal. He appreciates the addition of money for drug treatment but still worries about money for Medicaid.

Correction: An earlier version incorrectly listed the number of people on waiting lists. Vice President Mike Pence said 60,000. 

USA Today reporters Maureen Groppe and Deirdre Shesgreen contributed to this article.