Gallego, Kelly, Stanton, Ansari Respond to New Report Showing Over 300,000 Arizonans Would Lose Health Insurance Under Republican Bill

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, issued the following news release:

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Gallego, Kelly, Stanton, Ansari Respond to New Report Showing Over 300,000 Arizonans Would Lose Health Insurance Under Republican Bill

WASHINGTON - Arizona Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, alongside Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), responded to a new report from the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) showing that 300,679 Arizonans would lose their health insurance under House Republicans' proposed plan to fund tax breaks for billionaires.

The House Republican bill would result in 190,993 Arizonans losing Medicaid coverage and 109,686 losing Affordable Care Act coverage, according to the JEC. These estimates are based on projections from the Congressional Budget Office, which found the legislation would lead to 13.7 million more people across the country becoming uninsured by 2034 compared to current law. That's because of the cuts and changes to Medicaid and the expiration of expanded ACA tax credits.

"If Congressional Republicans cut Medicaid and the ACA like they plan to, hundreds of thousands of Arizonan children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families will lose coverage," said Senator Gallego. "On top of that, these cuts would force rural hospitals to shut down, push more people into overcrowded ERs, and pass down costs to every Arizonan--all to line the pockets of Trump's billionaire friends. That's why I'm doing everything in my power to stop these harmful cuts."

READ MORE: GOP budget bill could kick 300K Arizonans off health insurance, Dem lawmakers warn

"I've heard from families across Arizona who are already stretched thin and worried about losing the health care they depend on. Now Republicans are pushing a plan that confirms their worst fears--stripping health care away from the people who need it most like kids, seniors, and working parents. All of this to give tax breaks to rich people," said Senator Kelly. "This isn't a done deal, and I'm going to continue fighting for affordable health care for Arizonans."

"Republican cuts to Medicaid aren't just some number on a spreadsheet. Real people will lose their health care. And whether you use Medicaid or not, cuts this drastic will mean longer wait times at hospitals, health care worker layoffs, and nursing homes and community clinics shutting down. We're going to fight these attacks with all we've got," said Representative Stanton.

"Stripping health care from over 300,000 Arizonans--including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families--just to hand out tax breaks to the rich is unconscionable," said Representative Ansari. "The GOP proposal would cause devastating impacts in our most vulnerable communities, pushing families to the brink and putting lives at risk. I will continue to fight to protect and expand access to affordable, quality health care for every Arizonan."

The House Republican reconciliation package includes major changes to Medicaid, including a new work requirement for adults without dependents and more frequent eligibility checks for enrollees--policies that experts warn would create administrative burdens and lead to widespread coverage losses. Combined with provisions that increase out-of-pocket costs for individuals who purchase insurance through the ACA marketplace and make it harder for people to enroll in a variety of coverage options, the Congressional Budget Office projects the package would result in at least 13.7 million more people becoming uninsured by 2034 compared to current law.

In Arizona, where more than two million people are covered through Medicaid or ACA plans, these cuts could have a particularly devastating impact on rural and low-income communities--and on efforts to combat the opioid and fentanyl crises.

Senator Gallego is fighting to protect access to healthcare for millions of Arizonans. He has traveled across the state, holding town halls in Phoenix, Douglas, Sierra Vista, and Flagstaff to hear directly from Arizonans that would be impacted by potential Medicaid cuts and share their stories. Gallego has always been a steadfast advocate for Medicaid. In the state legislature, he worked across the aisle to expand Medicaid in Arizona, and he's still fighting to protect it today.

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Original text here: https://www.gallego.senate.gov/press-releases/gallego-kelly-stanton-ansari-respond-to-new-report-showing-over-300000-arizonans-would-lose-health-insurance-under-republican-bill/