Fact Check: The bill will cost over 10 million Americans their health care.

Fact Check: "The bill will cost over 10 million Americans their health care."

What We Know

The claim that "the bill will cost over 10 million Americans their health care" is rooted in the legislative changes proposed in a recent bill passed by the House and Senate, which significantly cuts federal health spending. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the legislation is projected to result in approximately 11.8 million more uninsured individuals by 2034, primarily due to cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. This aligns with estimates from various health policy experts and organizations, including the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and the Washington Post, which suggest that the bill could lead to at least 17 million Americans losing their health coverage.

The bill's provisions include stricter eligibility requirements for Medicaid and changes to ACA subsidies, which would make it harder for many to maintain their health insurance. For example, the new Medicaid work requirements could result in millions losing coverage if they do not meet the new standards, and the expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies could sharply increase out-of-pocket costs for many current enrollees (NPR, Politifact).

Analysis

The claim that the bill will cost over 10 million Americans their health care is partially true. The estimates of coverage loss vary slightly, with some sources indicating a potential loss of 11.8 million to 17 million individuals, depending on the specifics of the bill's implementation and the interplay of various provisions (Washington Post, CBO).

The reliability of these estimates comes from reputable sources such as the CBO and KFF, which are recognized for their nonpartisan analysis of health care policy. However, the estimates also depend on assumptions about how states will implement the new requirements and how individuals will respond to changes in financial assistance.

Critics of the bill argue that the cuts to Medicaid and ACA funding will disproportionately affect low-income individuals and rural communities, where access to health care is already limited (ABC News, Medicare Rights Center). Supporters of the bill, however, claim that it targets waste and inefficiencies in the current system, suggesting that the cuts are necessary for fiscal responsibility (CNBC).

While the claim accurately reflects the potential for significant coverage loss, it is important to note that the exact number of individuals affected may vary based on implementation and state responses. Therefore, the assertion that "over 10 million Americans will lose health care" is substantiated but may not capture the full scope of the issue.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True
The claim that "the bill will cost over 10 million Americans their health care" is partially true. Estimates indicate that between 11.8 million and 17 million Americans could lose their health coverage due to the proposed cuts to Medicaid and ACA funding. While the claim is grounded in credible projections, the exact impact will depend on various factors, including state-level implementation and individual responses to the new requirements.