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CBO: 'Skinny repeal' of ACA will increase uninsured by 16M

By Ray Downs
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks about the Republican healthcare plan on Wednesday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks about the Republican healthcare plan on Wednesday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo

July 26 (UPI) -- 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 a Congressional Budget Office analysis.

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

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

The repeal idea drew widespread criticism 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 Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

"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," 10 governors wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

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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 Democratic Governors Terry McAuliffe of Virginia, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania and Steve Bullock of Montana.

Some Senate Republicans, though, dismissed the new CBO estimate.

"It's speculation written up by some [Democratic] staffers," a Republican aide told Politico. "That's embarrassing on their part."

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