Congressman Scott Taylor is the focus of online attack ads after voting to repeal Affordable Care Act

May 09--U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor of Virginia Beach is among more than two dozen Republicans nationwide targeted this week in online ads by an advocacy group or the national Democratic Party after voting Thursday to repeal and replace major parts of the Affordable Care Act.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Save My Care, a self-described consumer advocacy group that opposes abolishing the current health care law, have begun pushing advertising on Facebook and Instagram critical of Republicans in the House of Representatives like Taylor who they believe are vulnerable in the 2018 election.

Save Our Care had bought ads, including television commercials in other states, critical of 24 legislators in 15 states who "supported repeal, despite bipartisan opposition and overwhelming constituent concern," according to a news release.

In Virginia, the specialized ads can be seen by Taylor's 2nd District constituents and residents of the state's 7th District -- west and north of Richmond -- represented by two-term Republican David Brat, who also supported the bill.

"Congressman Taylor -- how could you do this to us?" asks the Hampton Roads ad, which says the bill approved last week will "raise your costs and cut coverage for millions, let insurance companies deny affordable coverage for cancer treatment and maternity care, and charge five times more for people over 50."

The DCCC bought online ads with a similar message.

"This digital ad campaign will educate voters in Scott Taylor's district about this morally bankrupt repeal," DCCC spokesman Cole Leiter said. It's part of a larger effort by national Democrats to undermine and weaken Taylor as it seeks to defeat him with a yet-to-be-named Democratic candidate in 2018.

Taylor said Monday he's aware of the opposition ads but is not changing his mind.

"I was very clear during my campaign. I am very clear now. I will never be one of those timid souls that wait for the last second to cast their votes," he said in a phone interview. "You will always know where I stand, which means I'm accountable for everything I do."

Taylor won election in November in part by campaigning that he wanted to repeal the ACA, commonly known as Obamacare.

He voted with the House GOP majority last week to narrowly approve legislation that would change the health care law by removing the tax penalty for failing to have health insurance, and by loosening the rules requiring that all policies provide a minimum package of benefits and how people with pre-existing conditions are covered. States could seek waivers from the federal government to allow insurers to sell cheaper policies that offer less coverage.

Taylor noted that the bill, which now goes to the Senate, may change in the coming months, but he's not pushing for any adjustments.

"At this moment I'm not aware of anything that I need to see more into the bill. But I am also open at the same time to improvements," he said.

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