Bill Kristol: GOP Has Big Obamacare Alternative in Works

Republicans in Congress and in governors' offices are working on a big replacement package to Obamacare, and it should be unveiled early in 2014, Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol says.

Appearing on CNN's "The Situation Room" on Wednesday, Kristol admitted to host Jake Tapper, "Maybe I wasn't supposed to know that, but I happen to know that, and this is a news network, so why not say it?"

Kristol said he isn't opposed to the move by tea party Republicans such as Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., to try to completely defund President Barack Obama's healthcare law, but he thinks they should have a Plan B.

"I think it will not be possible to defund all of Obamacare on Sept. 30," Kristol said, adding, "The president himself suspended the employer mandate. Why not suspend the individual mandate as well?"

He also suggested suspending the state health care exchanges since concerns have been raised about privacy and security. Republicans have charged that "navigators" who would be hired to help people get through the system won't have to pass background checks, but will have access to large amounts of personal data.

"A more rifle shot approach might be better," Kristol said, but admitted, "Ted Cruz is doing fine for now."

Republicans have paid a price for their failure to aggressively push for their own replacement of Obamacare, Kristol said and will need a plan of their own in place by the 2014 midterm elections, not to mention the 2016 presidential campaign.