WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued its scoring of the American Health Care Act, or “Trumpcare:”
“Now we know why Republicans worked so hard to hide the truth about their bill. This report by the non-partisan CBO, whose director was handpicked by Donald Trump’s own Health and Human Services Secretary, sounds the alarm that life-and-death care is at risk for millions.
“Under this Trumpcare plan, 24 million Americans will lose their health care coverage, and with it, the assurance that they will be able to receive the care they need if they develop a life-threatening medical condition. Under this Trumpcare plan, health insurance premiums will spiral out of control for Americans over 50, and American families will have higher deductibles and pay more out of pocket. But the very richest Americans will receive a tax windfall worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
“Millions kicked off their coverage, skyrocketing premiums and deductibles—all to hand an enormous tax giveaway to the wealthy and well-connected. That is what this bill is truly about, and that is what its sponsors don’t want you to know.
“All Americans who care about the future of their health care should pay attention to the contents of this report, and let their representatives know that what they want is quality, affordable health care—not another back-room giveaway to special interests and the wealthy.”
