Republicans’ House-passed bill would strip health insurance from 16 million Americans, raise national debt by $2.4 trillion according to CBO
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement on the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) latest estimate for how the cuts to Medicaid and other crucial services included in the House-passed Republican budget will kick millions of Americans off their health insurance and increase the national debt.
“Kicking even more kids and their families off their health insurance to pay for big tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy? That’s exactly what another CBO report shows the Republicans’ extreme plan does.
“Even the President’s friends are saying this is a horrible bill.”
This latest CBO estimate reflects the last-minute Republican changes to their budget that in total would result in 16 million Americans losing health insurance and increase our national debt by $2.4 trillion.
Nearly 80 million Americans are enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) nationally. Medicaid covers the care for over 60% of all nursing home residents.
The Republican budget proposal calls for extreme Medicaid cuts of more than $700 billion, which would take away people’s health benefits; make it harder for them to see their health care providers; and prevent seniors from getting nursing home care.
The Senate now must consider the House-passed budget. Hickenlooper has already voted against the Republican budget resolution on the Senate floor twice and offered amendments to prevent cuts to Medicaid. He will vote against the proposal again when it comes to the Senate.
CBO is a nonpartisan entity that offers impartial analysis on the costs and impacts of proposed legislation to Congress.
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