Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price downplayed some of the divisions among Republicans about the Obamacare repeal bill released on Monday, and said the bill itself is just a "work in progress" that is likely to undergo various changes before it becomes law.

"This has been a work in progress," Price told reporters in the White House. "As you know, this has been going on for over a year."

Conservative lawmakers complained as soon as the bill was released that it keeps in place the Obamacare infrastructure, and doesn't eliminate some key pieces of the law for several years. But Price further downplayed the bill as a "step" in the process, indicating changes are likely to be made.

"The president and the administration support this step in... what we believe is in the right direction," Price said.

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Price dodged questions about whether he or the administration support everything in the bill, and again indicated he sees the bill as something that could change as it moves along.

"This is a work in progress, and we'll work with the House and the Senate in this process," he said. "As you know, it's a legislative process that occurs."

"You start at a starting point, people engage and they get involved in the process, sometimes to a greater degree," Price added. "Nothing focuses the mind like a bill that's currently on the table as a work in progress, or in process."

"We'll work through it. This is an important process to be had," he said.

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03/08/17 8:13 AM

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HHS Secretary Tom Price: House Obamacare bill a 'work in progress' - Washington Examiner