Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker announced his health care reform plan, which would replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), often referred to as Obamacare. Since the first provisions of the ACA were implemented in 2010, more than 4.2 million Latinos have gained medical coverage, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Walker presented his health care plan titled "The Day One Patient Freedom Plan" from the Cass Screw Machine Products in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. His campaign said the proposal is a "big, bold conservative solution" replacing Obamacare. Based on Walker's plan, he would transition Obamacare's "government-centric approach" with a "market-driven system."

The Republican presidential candidate said he will submit draft legislation to Congress to repeal the entire ACA law. He expressed disappointment that the current 114th Congress has not present a bill repealing the 2010 law on President Barack Obama's desk.

"On my first day as president, I will send legislation to the Congress that will repeal Obamacare entirely and replace it in a way that puts patients and their families back in charge of their health care -- not the federal government. I call it the Day One Patient Freedom Plan," said Walker.

"If you've had it with Obamacare and you want someone who is going to do something about it, I am your candidate. Four years ago, I took on 100,000 protesters, I took on the big government union bosses," added Walker, referring to his tenure as Wisconsin governor. "I took on the liberal power machine from Washington and I took on the establishment of my own party to push big, bold reforms... and you know what, we got results."

While the national uninsured rate has dropped, from 2013's 17.3 percent to 11.7 percent in June 2015, Walker said the ACA has made an existing broken health care system worse. In his plan, Walker said the ACA law was written by lawmakers "who believe the federal government always know best," but he wants to "restore full freedom" for Americans to choose their own health care plan. A reoccurring statement during his speech was that he wants patients and their families in control of their health.

Walker acknowledged the troubles Obamacare encountered since its launch, including Obama's claim that people can keep their existing health care plan, which secured itself as Politifact's 2013 "Lie of the Year." The governor also made sure to include Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton into the dialogue and plan. Walker referenced that before Obamacare, there was "Hillarycare" in the 1990s.

As stated in his proposal, "Under a Hillary Clinton presidency, Americans could expect proposals similar to Europe's single-payer system, including federal price controls and further restrictions on private sector innovation in the health care industry. ObamaCare cannot be fixed. It must be repealed and replaced with a plan that returns power to the American people and the states."

With Walker's plan, he calls for Medicaid reform, since most ACA enrollees have benefited from the program. While Obamacare is repealed, he wants to replace it with a plan that would provide every American with access to affordable health insurance. He seeks to low health insurance premiums, which the governor says can happen by eliminating the ACA's regulations and encouraging "real" competition among the health insurers and providers.

Walker's plan would provide tax credits for individuals without employer-based health insurance. With the tax credits, Walker hopes for more affordable and portable health insurance coverage. The tax credit value would vary on the individual's age, not based on individual or family income. For millennials, regarded as the American age group of 18- to 34-year-olds, their tax credit will be $1,200 to purchase health insurance. Americans between the ages of 35 and 49 will receive $2,100 of credit value, while $3,000 will be set for people ages 50-64. Minors, individuals below 17 years old, will have a credit value of $900.

Walker also would allow consumers to purchase insurance across state lines, protect Americans with preexisting conditions, give regulatory authority to states as well as further tax credits pending eligibility.

Overall, more than 16 million Americans have gained medical insurance through Obamacare. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, repealing the ACA would remove 19 million Americans off insurance in its first year.

According to the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Walker's plan is the latest indication that the governor is "out of ideas and out of touch."

"Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 16 million Americans have gained health insurance, the uninsured rate is at its lowest point ever recorded, health spending grew at the slowest rate in 50 years, all while we've had 65 months of consecutive private sector job growth. This law saves money and lives, but Republicans' only plan is repeal," said DNC spokesman Eric Walker in a statement.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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