Yesterday the Congressional Budget Office scored the American Health Care Act, the GOP alternative to the ACA. The legislation would reduce the deficit by $119 billion through 2026, but increase the rate of uninsured Americans by 82 percent.
By 2026, the CBO estimates around 51 million Americans under the age of 65 would be uninsured under the AHCA. By comparison, under the ACA the CBO projects 28 million Americans would be uninsured in 10 years. The CBO estimated the AHCA's subsidies would be sufficient to ensure markets remained stable unless states filed for waivers allowing increased premiums for sick enrollees.
The House of Representatives passed the AHCA earlier this month after making modifications to the bill, which is now sent to the Senate.
The American Medical Association opposes the AHCA and President Andrew W. Gurman, MD, reiterated his stance after the CBO's report.
"Today's estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office show that last-minute changes to the AHCA made by the House offered no real improvements. Millions of Americans will become uninsured — with low-income families on Medicaid being hit the hardest. We urge the Senate to ensure that any changes to current law do not cause Americans to lose access to affordable, meaningful health insurance coverage."