House Republican Tax Bill Could Lead to 11 Million Losing Health Insurance: CBO Report Analysis
The House Republican tax bill could result in nearly 11 million people losing health insurance, primarily due to cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as per the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The CBO report predicts that 10.9 million individuals would be uninsured over the next ten years if the proposed spending package, aligned with President Trump's legislative priorities, is approved. This figure includes around 1.4 million individuals in state-funded health programs lacking verified citizenship or satisfactory immigration status. The bill would also introduce stricter regulations for states offering health coverage to undocumented immigrants using their own funds. Approximately 7.8 million people could lose Medicaid coverage due to enhanced work requirements and more frequent eligibility verifications, while additional millions might lose coverage through modifications to the ACA exchanges.
Democrats are seizing on the CBO's projections to criticize the legislation, arguing that it would strip people of their health insurance to benefit the wealthy with tax breaks. Representative Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), the ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, criticized the rushed passage of the bill without a comprehensive assessment of its impact on millions of Americans and the national debt. Republicans, on the other hand, are likely to minimize the significance of the CBO analysis, asserting that the bill safeguards those most in need of insurance while curtailing benefits for immigrants and able-bodied individuals who choose not to work.
Despite concerns from some GOP senators regarding certain Medicaid provisions, including work requirements, they remain popular even among lawmakers seeking adjustments, despite the anticipated coverage reductions. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) dismissed the CBO's projections, citing past inaccuracies in economic growth forecasts. While some Republicans have reservations about specific aspects of the bill, the overall sentiment within the party is to move forward with the proposed legislation.