'I’ll cite the source': CNN host fact-checks GOP lawmaker complaining about Dem 'talking points'

CNN anchor Pamela Brown derailed an attempt by Rep Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) to claim that Americans’ insurance premiums won’t balloon if President Donald Trump allows Obamacare subsidies to expire.

“Time is running out and there's an estimate that millions of Americans could lose their insurance if something isn't done about these premiums,” Brown told Stutzman in an interview for CNN’s “Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”

“I think that's just a Democrat talking point to promote fear in people,” Stutzman said. “There's going to be changes—"

“No,” Brown said, interrupting. “I'll cite the source. It's the think tank, the Urban Institute. It estimated that about 4 million Americans would become uninsured after 2025 without the federal subsidies. And that includes 88,000 people from your state of Indiana. You also have Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene sounding the alarm about this.”

“Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn't speak for most Republicans in the conference,” Stutzman said, pointing out that the House speaker, senior senators and Trump are the leaders on this issue, not Greene.

Stutzman then argued that “Obamacare has been a failure” and the healthcare industry is “a wreck.”

“A lot of Republicans are in your boat,” Brown said. “You don't like Obamacare. You think it's bad. But the bottom line is this is a situation the country is in, that if something isn't done about these subsidies, then everything is going to go up. And, so far. I haven't heard a concrete plan from Republicans on what to do before those premiums go up to a point where people won't be able to afford any health care at all. So, what is the Republican plan?”

But Stutzman offered none, instead claiming that “states like New York, California and Illinois are taking advantage of these programs and taking advantage of taxpayers in Indiana.”

“I don't believe subsidies are the long-term solution,” Stutzman said “Again, we need reform on the health care provider side. We need reform with insurance companies. … There's too many hands in the cookie jar.”