California Officials Speak About the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Analysis of TrumpCare

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The House vote to approve Trumpcare caused reason for concern for many Federal, State, and even local government officials. California Insurance Commissioner David Jones said that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) updated analysis of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), also known as “Trumpcare” showed that the concern was beyond partisan, but humanitarian. The CBO analysis shows that Trumpcare may be detrimental to older adults, disabled adults, unemployed or underemployed people, women, and those with health issues.

“When House Republicans voted for Trumpcare earlier this month, they were focused on gutting the Affordable Care Act so money would be freed for a $900 billion tax cut for the wealthy and health insurers,” stated Commissioner Jones. Jones said that the needs of the people at risk of losing all health insurance or essential coverage were not a concern when the House Republicans voted.

The impact of the bill would have on Americans would be felt for years to come with 14 million Americans being uninsured in 2018 as a result of the bill. By 2020 the number would swell to 19 million and by 2026, 23 million Americans would lose coverage. The loss of coverage would mostly hurt those unemployed or underemployed who temporarily depend on the Medicaid program.The CBO projects that 14 million fewer Americans will receive coverage by 2026.

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Older Americans, mostly those between 50 and 64 years old will see premiums increase causing many to go uninsured. States will be allowed to cut essential health benefits by seeking waivers. Premiums for the less healthy would be substantially higher with the out-of-pocket expenses seeing a substantial increase. This is a concern for many Americans with health ailments preventing them from being able to work or to earn the income needed to sustain health insurance. Waivers can also bring back annual and lifetime benefit limits, which are currently banned by the ACA.

Reproductive health is also a matter of concern with the Medicaid funding that once went to Planned Parenthood being cut off. Although Planned Parenthood does offer abortion services, they also offer reproductive health care services that many, mostly women use, including contraceptives, and cancer screenings.

“Every Republican in California’s Congressional delegation acted with callous disregard for the health care needs of their constituents by voting to eliminate health insurance coverage for millions of Americans,” Commissioner Jones said. “Now we face a destabilized health market with rising rates, weaker coverage, increased premiums and a massive tax break that benefits the wealthy.”

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra shared the same sentiment in regards to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis. A strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Attorney General Becerra said that the ACA is working for Californians. Becerra took legal action last week to protect health care access for Americans, including over 5 million Californians. Becerra said that under the Affordable Care Act, also known as “ObamaCare” Californians without health insurance went from 17% in 2013 to 7.1% in 2016.

“Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans want to bring us back to the days when health care was only for the healthy and wealthy,” said Becerra. “How does having fewer people able to afford health care help, anyone? This is President Trump’s and House Republicans’ brave new world. Less health care, less money in their constituents’ pockets.”