Republican Sen. John Kennedy John Neely KennedyMORE (La.) is reportedly eyeing a ban on state single-payer health care systems in the new GOP ObamaCare repeal bill.

"I think a single-payer system is a bad idea," the senator said Monday in comments reported by The Washington Examiner.

"I think if you give a big chunk of money to California they're going to go set up a single-payer system run by the state and then come back and say, 'We don't have enough money, we need more.' I think the only way we are going to solve the health care problem in America is through the private sector."

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The GOP has once again embarked on a health care push, as Sens. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy William (Bill) Morgan CassidyCoushatta tribe begins long road to recovery after Hurricane Laura Senators offer disaster tax relief bill Bottom line MORE (R-La.) pursue their new legislation to repeal much of ObamaCare by converting funds into block grants to states. The bill, known as Graham-Cassidy, has yet to garner the 50 votes needed for a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Mike Pence Michael (Mike) Richard PenceMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election McConnell urges GOP senators to 'keep your powder dry' on Supreme Court vacancy MORE.

Kennedy says he has submitted amendments to the bill in order to bar states from using the block grants to create single-payer systems.

"I don't think states should have the authority to take money from the American taxpayer and set up a single-payer system," said Kennedy in the Monday comments. "Some people think that's inconsistent with the idea of flexibility, but that's what the United States Congress is for. I very much believe in flexibility, and I know governors want flexibility, but it's our job to make sure that money is properly spent.”

Kennedy confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday that he is offering four amendments to the Graham-Cassidy legislation.

One amendment will make Medicaid’s work requirement mandatory, while the other will “set up a guard rail that would prohibit states from using the money we give them to set up a single-payer system,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy’s push for barring state single-payer systems comes as Democrats embrace Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' Two GOP governors urge Republicans to hold off on Supreme Court nominee Sanders knocks McConnell: He's going against Ginsburg's 'dying wishes' MORE's (I-Vt.) “Medicare for all” legislation, which the lawmaker introduced last week.

Sixteen Democrats have endorsed Sanders’s proposal, though it has not gained the support of Democratic leadership.

—This report was updated at 1:04 p.m.