Rep. Shea-Porter Issues Statement on Huge Coverage Losses Under Republican Health Care Bill

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H., issued the following news release:

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) released the following statement after the independent, nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its analysis of the Republican health care bill, the American Health Care Act (AHCA).

"Today's estimate by the independent Congressional Budget Office that 14 million Americans would lose their insurance next year under the Republican health plan should be the nail in the coffin for this draconian proposal, which would not only take away Americans' insurance but also slash Medicaid, end Medicaid expansion, roll back requirements that insurance cover basic medical services, increase deductibles, and raise premiums for older Americans - all while slashing taxes for the wealthiest. According to CBO, 24 million people would lose their coverage by 2026, meaning the Republican plan not only erases the gains we've made since the Affordable Care Act but would actually leave fewer people with coverage than before the law passed. Now that the Republican health bill's devastating impact has been laid out in black and white, it's time for President Trump and Congressional Republicans to join the American people and the health care industry in rejecting this harmful bill, and instead come to the table to find bipartisan solutions that make our health care system work better for everyone."

BACKGROUND

New Hampshire organizations' AHCA statements

"The American Health Care Act appears to go backwards on that commitment to coverage, leaving more people without health insurance ... [it] would replace the Medicaid program with per capita block grants that underfunds the actual cost of providing care to Medicaid patients, would down-shift costs to the state and undermine New Hampshire's successful Medicaid expansion program."

Steve Ahnen, President, New Hampshire Hospital Association 3/8/17

"For over 75 years Easterseals NH has met the needs of people and their families who have disabilities or special needs. Medicaid funding represents over 70% of our overall budget ... reducing access to these services and supports would be devastating."

Nancy Rollins, CSO, Easterseals New Hampshire 3/6/17

"It appears that the bill in its present form is not going to be good for our patients."

Frank McDougall, Vice President, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center 3/11/17

How the AHCA would impact New Hampshire

Medicaid: In New Hampshire, the ACA's Medicaid expansion has covered approximately 55,000 Granite Staters, improving access to care, financial security, and health. Because of the state legislation authorizing expansion, these Granite Staters will automatically lose eligibility if federal funding is withdrawn, as the AHCA proposes.

Older Granite Staters: The 30% of New Hampshire HealthCare.gov consumers who are between the ages of 55 and 64 would bear the worst of the AHCA's tax credit reductions. [HHS]

People who need mental health or substance use disorder treatment: The AHCA would remove rules that currently require all plans to cover mental health and substance use disorder treatment just the same as any other medical service, reducing access to needed care at a critical time as New Hampshire fights the heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid epidemic. At an Education and Workforce Committee markup last week, Shea-Porter highlighted analysis that estimates 2.8 million Americans with a substance use disorder would lose some or all of their coverage under ACA repeal. [Harvard]

Tax hikes: The AHCA would reduce lower-income Granite Staters' tax credits while giving America's 400 highest-income taxpayers an average $7 million tax cut each. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]

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