US health secretary says Republicans will 'repeal and collapse' Obamacare

A US healthcare chief has hit out at plans to repeal Obamacare, claiming Republicans will "repeal and collapse" the system.

The GOP intends to sign a bill repealing the Affordable Care Act during the first 100 days of Donald Trump's presidency, The Hill reported.

But as there is no clear infrastructure with which to replace Obamacare, the suggestion of repealing the act has been criticised by Democrats including Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell.

"It's like a game of Jenga. When you pull one out, the thing will topple," she said in an interview with PBS Newshour.

"The idea of 'repeal and replace' is really, 'repeal and collapse."

She added: "You can't just pick and choose the things you like. Everything has to work together in order to pay, and have those with pre-existing conditions be in."

The health secretary also suggested the GOP's plan would have an impact on insurance companies.

"Insurance companies, because of the uncertainty, will make decisions not to go into the marketplace," Matthews Burwell said. "They will make decisions to raise their prices."

Concerns over the future of Obamacare are wide-ranging, with fears among lawmakers and the public that there have been no clear plans made for any potential repeal of the act.

Trump stated throughout his campaign that he wished to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, but has since given up on such harsh rhetoric, instead suggesting there are elements of Obamacare he would consider retaining.