The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has analyzed the House Republican health agenda and concluded that it would cut health coverage and raise costs for millions of Americans. The agenda, which includes several bills and proposals, would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, with a system that would leave many people without access to affordable health insurance.
One of the main components of the agenda is the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which was passed by the House in 2017. The AHCA would repeal the ACA’s expansion of Medicaid, which has provided health coverage to millions of low-income adults, and replace it with a system of block grants to states. This would result in a significant reduction in federal funding for Medicaid, leading to cuts in coverage and benefits for vulnerable populations, including low-income children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
The agenda would also allow states to waive important consumer protections, such as the requirement that insurance plans cover essential health benefits like maternity care, mental health treatment, and prescription medications. This would enable insurance companies to sell skimpy plans that do not provide adequate coverage, leaving people with significant out-of-pocket costs and financial risk.
Furthermore, the agenda would repeal the ACA’s subsidies that help low- and moderate-income individuals purchase health insurance. This would make it difficult for many people to afford coverage, leading to a significant increase in the number of uninsured Americans. The agenda would also impose an “age tax” on older adults, allowing insurance companies to charge them up to five times more than younger people for the same coverage.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that the House Republican health agenda would result in 23 million people losing health coverage, including 14 million who would lose Medicaid coverage. The agenda would also increase costs for millions of people, including those with pre-existing conditions, older adults, and low-income families. The increased costs would be particularly devastating for people who rely on Medicaid, as they would be forced to choose between paying for health care and other basic necessities like food and housing.
Overall, the House Republican health agenda would have devastating consequences for millions of Americans, cutting health coverage and raising costs for those who need it most. It is essential to protect and strengthen the ACA, rather than repealing and replacing it with a system that would harm vulnerable populations and increase health care costs for everyone.