Congressman David Scott: Updated CBO Score Confirms Republican Healthcare Bill Reduces coverage, Increases costs and uninsured rates

Statement

Today Congressman David Scott (D-GA) issued the following statement in response to the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) updated score for the Republican healthcare bill passed by House Republicans earlier this month:

"The updated CBO score confirms what we already knew, the American Health Care Act (AHCA) is a cruel attack on the American people and it demonstrates the reckless approach Republicans have taken to reforming 1/5 of our economy.

"Rather than working with Democrats to improve the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Republicans bulldozed ahead, without waiting to find out what the consequences would be for the American people. Now, it is clear that their bill slashes $834 billion from Medicaid, a program that provides health care to some of our most vulnerable citizens; increases costs for older Americans; and risks coverage for 1.8 million Georgians under 65 who have a pre-existing condition.

"After 10 years, 23 million more Americans will be uninsured under the AHCA. And 51 million people under 65 would be uninsured in 10 years, versus 28 million under the ACA. The CBO also estimates that, in some states, people with preexisting conditions might not be able to buy coverage "at all". Out-of-pocket spending on maternity care, mental health, and substance abuse services could increase by thousands of dollars a year for people who live in states that waive essential health benefits.

"The CBO score makes plain that the Republican bill to replace and repeal Obamacare is a dangerous bill for our nation's health care system. That is why I am dedicated to fighting to protect the ACA; improving it, so that more Americans benefit; and opposing the Republicans' damaging health care proposal."

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