Numbers do not add up

It’s clear why Republicans didn’t wait around for a deep dive look at their repeal of the Affordable Care Act. The hastily approved health care overhaul will rob 23 million people of coverage, according to Congress’ own advisory agency.

The report from the Congressional Budget Office is the closest thing Washington has to an umpire’s call on policy and financial impacts of legislation. When the House pushed through a GOP plan that gutted the law known as Obamacare three weeks ago, Republican leaders didn’t pause for the score-keeping agency’s final word.

Now that study has landed with a heavy punch. The report matches an earlier review in some respects, but the numbers are telling. Republicans had added money to their proposal as it teetered on defeat, but extra funds won’t do much to improve a flawed and harmful plan.

The study presented other alarming impacts. Up to 14 million people would lose coverage as soon as next year. Older and sicker consumers — the bull’s-eye group that most needs insurance — would pay more. Pitching health care on the private market won’t be the cure-all that House Republican leaders suggest. It’s a demolition job, not a serious substitute.

The next step will be telling as the House version is taken up by Senate Republicans. Already there’s worry that a fresh rewrite won’t work. Also, a lengthy debate will stall other GOP priorities. This impasse may frustrate Republicans, but it will serve the country.