Democrats Inflate Projections on GOP Legislation's Effects on Uninsured Population

A recent analysis from the Congressional Budget Office indicates that a Republican proposal revising Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act could potentially leave “at least 8.6 million” individuals without health insurance by 2034. However, several Democrats have inflated this estimate, claiming it to be 13.7 million. This inflated figure includes projected losses from a separate issue: the expiration of expanded ACA tax credits, which are not directly related to the Republican bill. During a recent budget committee session, lawmakers such as Rep. Diana DeGette and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the serious implications of these changes. The CBO’s initial review links the loss of coverage to specific Medicaid alterations and tightening of ACA enrollment standards, suggesting a need for continued support of tax credits to mitigate coverage loss.