Obamacare repeal bill would leave 22mn more uninsured: Report
US Senate Republicans are struggling to gain support for their Obamacare repeal-and-replace bill after the release of a non-partisan report forecasting that the GOP plan would leave 22 million more Americans uninsured over 10 years.
The report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), issued on Monday, has created serious problems for the Republicans seeking to pass their legislation this week.
The Republican bill is aimed at fulfilling President Donald Trump's pledge to repeal the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, the signature health insurance achievement of former President Barack Obama. Obamacare covers some 20 million Americans.
"The Senate bill would increase the number of people who are uninsured by 22 million in 2026 relative to the number under current law," the CBO said in its much-anticipated analysis.
If approved, the Trump administration’s health care bill would repeal most of the taxes that paid for Obamacare. The bill faces an uncertain passage in the Senate, where Republicans have a very narrow majority.
According to the CBO, the Senate legislation would result in a $321 billion deficit reduction by 2026.
The bill introduced last week by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell looks in jeopardy now, despite optimism expressed by Trump. McConnell has said he wants a final vote on the bill Friday.
In the most contentious congressional vote of Trump's presidency last month, lawmakers voted 217 to 213 to pass the Obamacare repeal-and-replace bill.
No Democrats backed President Trump’s American Health Care Act (AHCA), also known as Trumpcare, and some 20 Republicans voted in opposition. Most of the Republican politicians have long vowed to repeal Obamacare.
Health care experts from across the political spectrum have said that Trump’s health care bill is unworkable and suffers from fatal flaws and could lead to Americans dropping out of the health care market.
Experts agree that the bill fails to reach the objectives laid forth by Trump, which includes affordable coverage for everyone, lower deductibles and health care costs and better care.
Obamacare was designed to increase health insurance quality and affordability, lower the uninsured rate by expanding insurance coverage and reduce the costs of healthcare.
Obama has urged Republican lawmakers to show “political courage” and save his health insurance program.
Urging Republicans to vote against the GOP bill, Obama said that “it is my fervent hope … that regardless of party, such courage is still possible.”
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