Harris Schedules 2 More Virtual Town Halls, In-Person Event Set For Late March

Rep. Andy Harris on Thursday announced two more virtual town halls and his first in-person event regarding the plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

The two events Harris is calling "tele-town halls" will be held next week. The first will be held next Monday at 5:30 p.m., the second next Tuesday at 6 p.m., before President Donald Trump's address to Congress.

Harris, a Cockeysville Republican, made news when he told WBAL talk host C4 he wouldn't hold an in-person event until a plan is put forward to replace the Obama health law. Harris also cast skepticism about the motives of protesters faced by his Republican colleagues. However, he expects one will be ready soon, so he is scheduling an event in Easton on Friday, March 31.

"It's important to me that we have the proposed plan details in hand to share with attendees of the brick-and-mortar town hall so that I can answer their specific questions at the town hall, rather than offer only speculation, which is all we have at this time,” Harris said.

In released audio of his virtual town hall from last week, one caller did ask about what the plan to replace it might look like. He said the plan, were it ready, wouldn't come through his committee, but offered some details.

"We are going to have to repeal large sections of Obamacare. It just doesn't work. The bottom line is that the ACA insurance companies, the last ones are just leaving the market," Harris said. "If you don't get a subsidy on the plan, the plans are fairly expensive."

He said all plans being discussed will ensure that individual insurance policies will be as affordable as group policies.

The New York Times reports, however, that there are obstacles to consensus among House and Senate Republicans.

Constituents and activists held a town hall event earlier this week in Bel Air to discuss the merits of "Obamacare" and impacts of its possible repeal. Harris was invited, but did not attend.