House healthcare bill would end coverage for 23 million by 2026

About 23 million Americans would losehealthcarecoverage over the next nine years if the bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives were to become law, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

 

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The CBO, in partnership with the Joint Committee on Taxation, released its analysis of the House bill-the American Health Care Act of 2017 (AHCA)-late Wednesday. Among its findings:

·      In 2018, 14 million fewer people would have healthcare insurance than under current law, and that number would increase to 19 million in 2020 and 23 million by 2026.

·      Premiums for coverage purchased on the individual market would be about 25% higher in 2019 compared with the current law. After 2020, average premiums would depend significantly on the state in which coverage was purchased.

·      About eight million fewer people would get healthcare coverage through the non-group market in 2018 compared with current law. That number would rise to 10 million by 2020, but drop to roughly six million by 2026.

 

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·      About 14 million fewer people would be enrolled in Medicaid by 2026 compared with expected enrollment under current law.

·      The federal deficit would decrease by approximately $119 billion between 2017 and 2026 as a result of changes in spending and taxation included in the AHCA.

The House narrowly passed the bill earlier this month, before the CBO had “scored” it. In March, a vote on a slightly different version of the bill was cancelled after it became clear the legislation would not pass. House leadership and President Trump, say passage of the AHCA fulfills a campaign pledge to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

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