Sen. Rand Paul on Sunday bitterly bashed fellow Republicans for lacking confidence in the private sector and "what made America great" when it comes to healthcare.
In an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," the Kentucky Republican was asked if he'd vote "yes" on a procedural motion ini the Senate to begin a debate on a healthcare reform bill, expected later this week.
The real question is what are we moving to," Paul replied. "Last week, Senate leadership said it would be clean repeal ... and I think that's a good idea."
But if the leadership brings up the Better Care Reconciliation Act, "I'm not for that because I'm not for taxpayer money going to rich insurance executives."
"What made America great were not insurance regulations, insurance stabilization funds," he said. "What made us great is leaving people free to trade with each other, not regulating trade, getting the government out of it."
"To me, replacement is legalizing inexpensive insurance," he explained. "That means the federal government doesn't regulate it and allows the sale of inexpensive insurance again, legalizing the ability to join an association across state lines.
"I thought that is what we as Republicans believed in. But it turns out many Republicans actually believe in this giant insurance bailout super fund. Nearly $200 billion that they're going to give to the rich insurance executives and rich insurance companies. So I'm not for that."
Senate Republicans, he added, "don't believe in the marketplace like they ought to."