Rep. Rosen Issues Statement on Updated CBO Score on Republican Health Care Bill

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Rep. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., issued the following statement after the Congressional Budget Office released an updated analysis of the GOP House-passed health care repeal bill, the American Health Care Act:

"Today's CBO report confirms that millions of Americans would fare worse under the GOP's American Health Care Act, moving us in the wrong direction. The GOP's plan not only drops 23 million from receiving coverage, but goes a step further by singling out Americans who are sick.

"According to the CBO, the Republicans' health care repeal plan sets up a waiver system that would strip protections for those with pre-existing conditions, contradicting the very idea behind purchasing an insurance policy. This is especially egregious because it would require everyone other than the young and healthy to pay thousands of dollars more per person for coverage like maternity care, mental health care, and substance abuse services. Not to mention, this bill would increase costs for those who rely on prescription medications like our seniors and people suffering from chronic illnesses, leaving them without the care they need.

"It is absolutely shameful that Republicans would pass legislation without knowing the consequences this bill has on hard-working families. We should be focused on fixing the Affordable Care Act so that we can actually drive down the costs of premiums that for too long have left people struggling to make ends meet. The answer to reforming our health care system is to make insurance work for all Americans - not against them. That's why, I will continue to support bipartisan measures that reduce costs while protecting what's working under the current law."