New US health plan to come in March, says Trump

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - President Donald Trump said Thursday he will submit an "initial plan" to replace the Affordable Act some time in early or mid-March.

During a winding press conference at the White House, Trump said his administration is in the "final stages" of completing the plan.

"We've begun preparing to repeal and replace Obamacare,” he said. “Obamacare is a disaster, folks. It’s a disaster," he added using a popular term to refer to the act.

On Capitol Hill, House Speaker Paul Ryan said his chamber plans to introduce legislation when it returns from recess Feb. 27 that would "repeal and replace" Obamacare, saying "it has become increasingly clear that this law is collapsing."

"We need to rescue people from this collapsing law. And we need to replace it with a true, patient-centered system, one that gives every American access to quality, affordable coverage," he told reporters.

Details on what the planned replacement entails have been consistently scant. But with Republican control of the House and Senate, as well as the White House, the controversial law's days are likely numbered.