WASHINGTON, May 24, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP
Executive Vice President Nancy
LeaMond released a statement today following the nonpartisan
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) release of new numbers revealing
the devastating impact the bill would have on older Americans by
imposing an Age Tax, and weakening protections for those with
preexisting conditions, further reinforcing concerns raised by
AARP. The CBO analysis of the bill passed by the US House of
Representatives also predicts that 23 million people could lose
health coverage by 2026, leaving 51 million Americans
uninsured.
LeaMond said the CBO analysis served as another example that the
House legislation would make harmful changes to our current health
care system. The bill would also hurt older Americans by decreasing
the solvency of Medicare, hiking costs for those who can least
afford them, eroding seniors' ability to live independently, and
giving tax breaks to big drug companies and health insurance
companies:
"AARP reiterates our strong
opposition to the harmful bill passed by the House and calls on the
Senate to take action by starting a bill from scratch. The CBO
analysis found that premiums would go up to unaffordable levels by
inflicting an Age Tax and removing current protections for people
with common conditions including diabetes and weight gain.
Putting a greater financial burden on older Americans is not the
way to solve the problems in our health care system.
"According to CBO, premiums for
a 64 year old earning $26,500 a year
would increase by a whopping $14,400
in 2026. In addition, people with preexisting conditions may not be
able to purchase health insurance at all despite funding that would
be made available to help reduce premiums.
"CBO notes that 'the
legislation would increase the number of uninsured broadly, [and]
the increase would be disproportionately larger among older people
with lower income; in particular, people between 50 and 64 years
old…'
"Additionally, after facing a
massive premium increase as we age, the bill weakens Medicare
funding, opening the door to turning Medicare into a voucher
program that shifts costs for prescriptions and insurance to
seniors, at the same time it gives big drug and insurance companies
and other special interests a sweetheart deal.
"The plan would cut Medicaid
funding by $834 billion, which would
jeopardize essential care for 17 million seniors and people with
disabilities and shift the cost to states, blowing a giant hole in
state budgets and costing state taxpayers billions."
AARP stands ready to work with both parties on legislation that
puts Americans' health care first, not the special interests.
About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization
dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they
live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in
every state, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, and
the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP
works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most
to families with a focus on health security, financial stability
and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the
marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully
chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP
name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP
produces the world's largest circulation publications, AARP The
Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit
www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social
media.
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SOURCE AARP