Schumer Remarks on Newly Released CBO Score and Impact Trumpcare Would Have on Middle-Class Americans and Their Health Coverage

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today delivered remarks outlining the disastrous impact Trumpcare would have on middle class Americans and their health coverage following the recently released report from the Congressional Budget Office. Below are his remarks:

Good afternoon. I’d like to thank all of my colleagues for joining me.

As we all know, the Congressional Budget Office, led by a director who was hand-picked by current HHS Secretary Tom Price, just issued its new report on Trumpcare.

The report makes clear that Trumpcare would be a cancer on the American health care system – causing costs to skyrocket, making coverage unaffordable for those with preexisting conditions and many seniors, and kicking millions off of their health insurance

Unless you’re a healthy millionaire, Trumpcare is a nightmare.

This report ought to be the final nail in the coffin of the Republican effort to sabotage our health care system. Republicans in Washington and the President should read this report cover to cover, throw their bill in the trash, and begin working with Democrats on a real plan to lower costs for the American people.

There is a lot to unpack in this report, so I’ll just focus on a couple of provisions.

First, on health insurance costs.

The CBO report makes clear that premiums are heading up in the next several years. Consumers would see their premiums increase by 20% for next year’s plans.

Republicans will crow about the premiums going down in the outer years, but the decrease in premiums only occurs because the quality of insurance will plummet.

Cheaper insurance isn’t going to help anyone if it doesn’t actually lead to the health care people need.

If you are an older American, Trumpcare is going to force you to pinch your pennies just to be able to afford health insurance.

The CBO report says that some seniors could see their premiums go up by a whopping 800% under this bill.

Second, pre-existing conditions.

The CBO report states, and this is a direct quote:

“People who are less healthy would ultimately be unable to purchase comprehensive non-group health insurance at premiums comparable to those under current law, if they could purchase it at all.”

Think about that for a minute. Under Trumpcare, if you have a preexisting condition or are sick, your health insurance costs could go up so high that you can’t even afford it at all.

The nonpartisan scorekeepers have spoken loudly and clearly: Trumpcare means higher costs and less care for the American people.

For the good of the country, Republicans should reject this path and work with Democrats to fix our health care system, instead of pulling the plug on it.