‘Millions will lose out’ under plans to replace Obamacare
MILLIONS of Americans will lose their health insurance under Republican plans to repeal and replace Obamacare, according to an independent analysis.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said an extra 14 million people would be living without coverage in 2018, rising to an additional 24 million by 2026.
The figures are a blow to the Republican leadership, which faces a tough battle to get its bill through Congress, and to Donald Trump, who promised insurance for everybody before he was elected.
Two Congressional committees have approved the legislation. However, conservatives say the American Health Care Act does not go far enough in removing government interference from health care, while some moderate Republicans fear a backlash from voters who will no longer be able to afford insurance. Defeat risks political disarray and devastation at mid-term elections next year.
Mr Trump tried to rally support for the proposals yesterday during a White House “listening meeting” with people affected.
“The House bill to repeal and replace Obamacare will provide you and your fellow citizens with more choices – far more choices – at lower cost,” he said.
The proposals remove a requirement for all citizens to buy insurance and replace federal funding for subsidised services with a system of tax credits.
Overall, the CBO projected that 52 million people would be uninsured by 2026 if the bill became law, compared to 28 million if Barack Obama’s signature law remained in force.
Mr Trump faces another battle this week, as a slew of states lodged legal challenges to his revised travel ban.
Yesterday, Washington state, California, Maryland, New York and Oregon joined forces to apply for a hearing today to prevent the order taking effect on Thursday. Bob Ferguson, Washington state attorney general, said: “Cutting some illegal aspects of President Trump’s original travel ban does not cure his affront to our constitution.”
Although the revised ban exempts travellers from Iraq and anyone who already has a visa – including green card holders – opponents say it still discriminates against Muslims.