CBO: ‘Skinny Repeal’ Will Increase Uninsured By 16M

A "skinny repeal" of the Affordable Care Act proposed by Republicans would leave 16 million more people uninsured over a course of 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The CBO estimate, which was requested by Democrats, also estimated premiums would rise 20 percent more than what the current rising rate.

CNBC reported that the CBO estimate looked at key provisions Republicans have proposed in its downsized repeal effort, including a stop to the ACA's individual mandate, which financially penalizes people who don't have health insurance; an end to requiring employers of a certain size to provide health insurance coverage to employees; eliminating the medical device tax; de-funding Planned Parenthood; and ending the Prevention and Public Health Fund.

The skinny repeal drew widespread criticism from members of various political persuasions after the CBO estimate was released.

"A vote for 'skinny repeal' is a vote to take health insurance from 16 million and drastically increase premiums for everyone else," tweeted Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

And ten governors, including six Republicans, signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky

"Congress should be working together to make health insurance more affordable while stabilizing the health insurance market, but this bill and similar proposals won't accomplish these goals," they wrote.

The six Republican governors who signed the letter include: Charles Baker of Massachusetts, Brian Sandoval of Nevada, Larry Hogan of Maryland, Phil Scott of Vermont, and John Kasich of Ohio.

They were joined by Governors Terry McAuliffe of Virginia, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania and Steve Bullock of Montana.

But some Senate Republicans dismissed the CBO estimate.

"It's speculation written up by some [Democratic] staffers," a Republican aide told Politico. "That's embarrassing on their part. CBO hasn't issued any new score."