In the wake of a recently passed budget bill, House Republicans are engaged in a debate regarding the potential impact on Americans’ health insurance coverage, with a focus on the number of people who might be affected.
Democrats claim that the legislation could result in up to 13.7 million people losing their health insurance, many of whom are currently covered under Medicaid. This assertion, however, is being contested by GOP members.
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) emphasized in a statement, “The Budget Resolution passed today does not specify any cuts to federal programs. I want to make it clear that I do not support cuts to Social Security, Medicare and the safety net programs our vulnerable Americans rely on.”
Contrary to these claims, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) presents a different perspective.
The bill introduces more stringent work requirements for Medicaid, compelling recipients to demonstrate that they have worked or attended school for a minimum of 80 hours in the month before enrollment. States may opt to extend this prerequisite period up to a year before enrollment.
Additionally, the bill seeks to reduce billions in discretionary spending from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the agencies that oversee these programs.
The CBO projects that these changes could result in at least 7.6 million people losing Medicaid coverage.
The removal of tax credits, introduced in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act to assist low- and middle-income individuals in affording ACA plans, further exacerbates the situation. These credits are slated to expire by year’s end, and the current Republican bill does not propose their renewal.
The CBO suggests that many ACA beneficiaries may opt-out of insurance rather than absorb the additional costs. This, combined with the Medicaid adjustments, leads to the estimate that 13.7 million people might ultimately lose health insurance.
“Thirteen point seven million Americans are the number of people in this country whose health care are going to be stripped in this bill,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). “Now, Republicans are going to try to tell you every distraction in the book from that essential number.”
Such changes to Medicaid and the ACA could also influence healthcare accessibility for those who retain their insurance.
Over 30% of rural hospitals across the U.S. face potential closure due to financial struggles, many of which depend heavily on Medicaid reimbursements for their operations.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), a supporter of the bill, could potentially witness four hospitals within her district facing closure.
The Kaiser Family Foundation’s research on public health sentiment indicates that 76% of Americans are against significant Medicaid cuts, while 65% oppose reductions to ACA tax credits.
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