Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the below statement following the Congressional Budget Office’s scoring of the American Health Care Act of 2017, passed by the House earlier this month:
"Higher costs, less coverage – that’s the reality facing Pennsylvania families under the congressional Republican health care plan, according to an analysis released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) today. Under the Republican scheme, Pennsylvanians in their 50s and 60s will be required to pay an “age tax” for no other reason than the number of years they’ve lived. Those with preexisting conditions, like cancer and diabetes, risk losing their protections from discrimination and will pay higher prices for their care, if they can get someone to insure them. And because of over $830 billion in cuts to Medicaid, nursing home care for vulnerable seniors is in jeopardy, people with disabilities may lose their ability to live independently, and children with disabilities may lose critical school-based supports. State and local governments will also see their budgets dramatically stressed, as they are called upon to cover the costs that the federal government is shunting onto them.
"This health care bill is morally bankrupt and a disaster for children, middle class families, seniors and individuals with disabilities. And all of this - the higher costs and reduced protections for families - are done in order to finance a massive tax cut for the wealthiest. It’s time that President Trump and Republicans in Congress work with Democrats on a plan that actually brings down premiums and reduces the costs of prescription drugs."
