Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) refused to back the GOP healthcare plan making its way through the House, casting aside the back-and-forth negotiations over the deal as "window dressing" and calling for a bipartisan approach.

Speaking to reporters at an event sponsored by The Christian Science Monitor on Friday, the former presidential candidate warned against "jamming something through that's going to take healthcare away from millions of people" and questioned the changes coming out of intraparty negotiations.

"These things are designed to get votes, and it needs to start from ground zero," he said.

“I wouldn't be surprised if they pass something, but I'm not for it."

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Kasich criticized Republicans for using the ObamaCare repeal plan cut taxes for the wealthy.

Instead, he said, the path to a more "sustainable" bill will com through bipartisan negotiations. Reform should not cut funding for Medicaid, a healthcare program that primarily helps the poor and disabled, but give states flexibility in how to distribute the federal money, he added.

Kasich, one of Trump's most outspoken presidential rivals, also told reporters that the president is more excited about finding a victory than the particulars of a bill.

“I happen to believe he doesn't care what the plan is," he said.

"I don't care what he said, but I know that if he can get something through, he’s not going to [say], ‘I'm an ideological guy on healthcare.’ "

Republicans tried to revive their healthcare bill this week after the original GOP plan failed to win enough Republican votes in the House.

Negotiations between lawmakers exacted some concessions for conservatives, including a path for states to opt out of some ObamaCare provisions. But no vote has been scheduled, and whether the party has enough support to pass a bill remains unclear.