Should states launch their own 'Obamacare'?

How about letting states offer their own universal health care plans?

That’s the goal of a new bill that Seattle Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal unveiled this week.

Japayal said there are two big reasons why states don't do that now.

"Number one, they don't have enough money, and number two, they don't have enough flexibility with regulation," she said.

The bill would modify Obamacare to make its revenue available.

Japayal credits Obamacare with expanding access to health care for millions in Washington state.

But, she said: "It still left a significant portion of people that have to pay too much for their premiums, too much for their prescription drugs, and simply aren't covered."

The proposed law would require states to provide a plan that shows how they will cover at least 95 percent of residents.

States would also need to make sure no more than 5 percent of residents spend more than 10 percent of their annual income on coverage.

Japayal plans to introduce the State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 2018 in Congress later this week.

With Republicans dominating the House and Senate and showing hostility to Obamacare, the bill will face tough going.