“We are concerned that any poorly implemented or poorly timed change in the current funding structure in Medicaid could result in a reduction in access to life-saving health care services,” Sen. Rob Portman and others said in a letter. | AP Photo 4 GOP senators demand to keep Obamacare Medicaid expansion

Four Republican senators from states that expanded Medicaid under Obamacare say they can’t support a draft House repeal bill because it won’t protect people enrolled in the health entitlement — a move that could doom the legislation's prospects.

“We are concerned that any poorly implemented or poorly timed change in the current funding structure in Medicaid could result in a reduction in access to life-saving health care services,” Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Cory Gardner of Colorado and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska wrote in a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. “The February 10th draft proposal from the House does not meet the test of stability for individuals currently enrolled in the program and we will not support a plan that does not include stability for Medicaid expansion populations or flexibility for states.”


Medicaid expansion has emerged as a key friction point in the debate over scrapping the health law. Several Republicans say they’re worried that Americans who obtained coverage under the program would suddenly lose their health insurance and be left without options if the program is rolled back.

The senators' announcement was noteworthy, coming hours before House GOP leaders were expected to unveil a final version of a repeal plan.

"We wanted to let the House know what our concerns are. We wanted to be responsible about this," Portman said.

"We wanted to make sure we were part of the conversation going forward," Gardner said.

A GOP aide said the senators were "sending a flare up now" that the House bill is unacceptable and showing support for GOP governors also opposed to House plan.

The House bill would freeze the Medicaid expansion in 2020 and phase it out over time. Nationwide, more than 11 million people got Medicaid through the expansion under Obamacare. In Ohio alone, some 700,000 residents obtained insurance because of the state's expansion.

Senate Republicans can absorb no more than two defections if they hope to pass the measure under an expedited procedure that requires a simple majority vote, with Vice President Mike Pence serving as the potential tie-breaker.

John Bresnahan contributed to this report.