Greg Hilburn

USA TODAY Network

Congressman Ralph Abraham blistered his GOP colleagues in the "Freedom Caucus" for the demise of the House Republicans' health care bill Friday, saying their opposition may lead to a nationalized health care system.

"We had an opportunity to repeal Obamacare, defund Planned Parenthood and reform Medicaid — goals Republicans have worked for years to accomplish — and yet some members of my own party defeated those goals by sinking this bill," said Abraham, R-Alto, who represents Louisiana's 5th Congressional District.

"Their decision marches us closer toward a nationalized health care system that we’ll never be able to get rid of. No bill is perfect, but this legislation was to be the first step of many to truly reform our health care system."

Freshman 4th District Congressman Mike Johnson, R-Benton, had reportedly been a no vote before being lobbied hard personally by President Donald Trump and Speaker Paul Ryan.

But Johnson's spokesman Ainsley Holyfield told USA Today Network the congressman was "leaning yes" before the vote was called called off Friday.

"I think it is accurate to say that with assurances from the president and leadership that more conservative, market-based modifications would be added into the bill, he was leaning yes," she said.

“Obamacare is failing and the American people are suffering because of it," Johnson said in a statement. "I have already signed on to co-sponsor Rep. Steve King’s bill which fully repeals Obamacare and relieves businesses and families of its burdens. After more than seven years of bad policy nearly destroying the healthcare market, we must be sure every action we take to replace Obamacare is well planned and executed. Postponing this vote affords Congress the opportunity to create real relief for the American people and will give us the time needed to get it right. Rest assured, this fight is not over."

But Ryan said Obamacare will likely remain in place "for the foreseeable future" because of the failure to pass the GOP bill Friday.

Acadiana's Republican 3rd District Congressman Clay Higgins spoke in favor of the bill during debate on the House floor.

"A vote against the American Health Care Act is a vote against freedom," Higgins said. "It's a vote against 124 pages of reasonable legislation. It's a vote for 8,000 pages of Obamacare."

Abraham said Freedom Caucus Republicans were allies for Democrats.

"To my Republican colleagues in the Freedom Caucus who caucused with Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats to keep Obamacare and funding for Planned Parenthood, I’d remind them that the American people sent us here to govern, and governing is much harder than just saying 'no' to every proposal that isn’t perfect," he said.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1