Budget office: Senate health bill adds 22 million uninsured

WASHINGTON » The Senate Republican health care bill would leave 22 million more Americans uninsured in 2026 than under President Barack Obama’s health care law, the Congressional Budget Office estimated Monday, complicating GOP leaders’ hopes of pushing the plan through the chamber this week.

The CBO coverage estimates pose yet another problem for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who unveiled the legislation last Thursday. By Friday afternoon, he was facing public statements of opposition from five GOP senators — three more defections than he can afford and still win approval for the legislation over united Democratic opposition.

Other Republican senators have expressed concerns. But none has ruled out backing the measure if it’s changed, and GOP leaders are looking for ways to win more votes by revising the legislation.

“It’s going to be very close, but we’re working with each one of them in trying to accommodate their concerns without losing other support,” said No. 2 Senate GOP leader John Cornyn of Texas. He added, “When senators tell me they want to get to yes, that means that we have a very good chance to get to yes.”

In good news for the GOP, the budget office said the Senate bill would cut the deficit by $202 billion more than the House measure over the coming decade. Senate leaders could use some of those savings to make Medicaid and other provisions in their measure more generous. That could win over unhappy moderates but risk alienating conservatives eager to curb federal spending.

The 22 million additional people without coverage under the Senate proposal is just a hair better than the 23 million who’d be left without insurance under the measure the House approved last month, the budget office has estimated. President Donald Trump has called the House version “mean” and called on Senate Republicans to approve legislation with more “heart.”

“This bill is every bit as mean as the House bill,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

Of the 22 million without coverage by 2026, 15 million would be without it next year, the nonpartisan budget office said.