Washington, DC—Statement of Christine Owens, Executive Director, National Employment Law Project:

“We oppose in the strongest possible terms Congressional Republicans’ latest efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, or ACA. Both the House and Senate bills would take our country in the completely wrong direction, cutting Medicaid and curtailing access to health care while providing tax cuts to the health care industry and wealthiest Americans. Around 22 million to 23 million more Americans would end up without health insurance, according to nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projections—an unconscionable result that should cause deep shame to any Senator voting for this most recent attempt to finance new tax breaks for billionaires and millionaires with cuts in lifesaving health care for America’s working families.

“In addition to slashing Medicaid by at least $834 billion over 10 years and ending Medicaid expansion, these bills would roll back the protections that people with employer-provided coverage had under the ACA, such as essential benefits, coverage for preexisting conditions, and lifetime limits.^{[i], [ii]} Making matters worse, the employer mandate, which requires larger companies to offer affordable coverage to employees, would be eliminated, and cost-sharing federal subsidies would end in 2020.

“Three-quarters of nonelderly Medicaid enrollees are in working families. Four in 10 children and nearly half of all births are covered by Medicaid. Medicaid supports working people and their families. Cuts to Medicaid and the end of Medicaid expansion will have a devastating effect on families and their communities.

“In addition to providing essential care, Medicaid funding also creates and pays for jobs. By 2026, it’s estimated the legislation would cause the loss of one million jobs. Between 305,000 and 713,000 home care workers would be expected to lose their jobs as a result of the Medicaid cuts, at a moment when an aging America needs to attract more caregivers.

“Both bills will hurt working people and those struggling to find good jobs, as well as infants and children, older adults, people with health conditions, and people with disabilities.  Make no mistake about it:  this legislation is only good for corporations and the very wealthy. Its passage would mark a shameful day for our nation.”

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