Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) sharply criticized the Senate Republican healthcare repeal bill after an analysis from the Congressional Budget Office found that it would cause 22 million fewer Americans to have health insurance, including 4 million Americans who would lose employer-sponsored coverage next year.

The CBO estimates that under the new bill, a senior making $56,800 in 2026 would pay $20,500 in annual premiums, as compared to $6,800 under current law, an increase of more than 200%. The repeal bill cuts $772 billion in funding for Medicaid over the next decade, a program that covers 183,000 veterans in California and provides long term care for 62% of California seniors living in nursing homes.

Rep. Peters released the following statement:

“The Senate repeal bill is a tax cut for the wealthiest Americans that would cause tens of millions of Americans to lose their health coverage. If this bill becomes law, millions fewer Americans would have access to plans that cover essential health benefits like maternity care and substance abuse, seniors would see their out-of-pocket costs skyrocket and their options for long-term care dwindle, and those families who can still afford health insurance would pay more for less coverage.

“This tax cut bill won’t fix our health care system. It is beyond time for us to start over and work with the doctors, nurses, hospitals, and patients who oppose this plan to come up with a bipartisan bill that makes healthcare more affordable and accessible for all Americans.”