Heritage Action warned Tuesday that the American Health Care Act doesn’t go far enough to repeal Obamacare. That followed a similar warning from Club for Growth, a free-market advocacy organization, on Monday night. | AP Photo Heritage Action, Club for Growth still opposed to GOP health bill

Two influential conservative advocacy organizations — Heritage Action and Club for Growth — remain opposed to the GOP Obamacare repeal bill, offering some measure of cover for wary Republicans who have yet to sign on.

Heritage Action — the advocacy arm of the Heritage Foundation, the think tank that had helped shape some of the Trump administration's health policies — again warned Tuesday that the American Health Care Act doesn’t go far enough to repeal Obamacare. That followed a similar warning from Club for Growth, a free-market advocacy organization, on Monday night.


“Barring additional changes, the AHCA keeps the architecture of ObamaCare (Title I regs) in place,” Heritage Action CEO Mike Needham posted on Twitter, minutes after President Donald Trump wrapped up a meeting with the House Republican conference. Heritage wants those insurance regulations eliminated.

“Heritage Action will be keyvoting against,” Needham added, meaning that lawmakers would be scored unfavorably if they vote for the AHCA.

Club for Growth on Monday night warned that House leadership hasn't made sufficient changes to the bill and announced an ad buy of more than $500,000 targeting potential swing votes including Reps. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.), Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.), John Katko (R-N.Y.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Pete King (R-N.Y.), Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.).

Several of the targeted lawmakers — including Lance, Katko, Ros-Lehtinen and Issa — have voiced serious doubts about the bill or already said they wouldn't vote for it. However, MacArthur said that he would back the bill after Monday night's modifications addressed his concerns about the cost of premiums.