Newly sworn in Congressman Charlie Crist has joined the fight to save the Affordable Care Act.

  • Crist met with Pinellas residents who have benefitted from ACA Sunday
  • Event part of nationwide day of action
  • Crist: ACA flawed, but thousands in Pinellas will suffer without it

On Sunday, he met with Pinellas County residents who said they and their family members are living proof the health care plan also known as "Obamacare" is working.

"My father is living testament to the power of affordable health care and the affordable care act he just celebrated the 12th Christmas he was told he would never see," health care advocate Jhanavi Pathak said.

The supporters said the Affordable Care Act also rescued their families from serious financial burdens.

"I did not hesitate. I went to the hospital because I knew it would be covered and I wouldn't go bankrupt for receiving the care that I needed," ACA supporter and local business owner Terry Donald said.

The gathering was scheduled to coincide with "Our First Stand: Save Health Care" -- a nationwide day of action called for and organized by Democratic senators Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Bernie Sanders.

Crist admitted that the Affordable Care Act has some flaws. Without it, however, he said at least 20 million Americans and thousands of Pinellas residents will suffer.

"There's no question about it .. trying to keep the cost down is the greatest concern to me," said Crist. "But repealing an act or taking away the discrimination of health care as we knew it in our country -- for example, those who had a pre-existing condition wouldn't be able to get coverage, women would have to pay more -- and that's just wrong."

So far, a fully developed alternative hasn’t been brought to the table. However, during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday, Republican Senator Rand Paul detailed his thoughts on a replacement plan.

"So one of the key reforms that we'll do is we're going to legalize the sale of inexpensive insurance," said Paul. "That means getting rid of the Obamacare mandates on what you can buy, we're going to help people save through health savings accounts as well as a tax credit.

And then one of the things that we need to talk more about -- and this is the third part of the replacement bill -- is we're going to allow individuals to come together in associations to buy insurance.”

During his remarks Sunday, Crist said he hopes both parties will work together for the sake of the American people.