Van Hollen Statement on CBO Analysis of ACA Repeal

Statement

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement on the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) analysis on repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA):

"Today, the Congressional Budget Office released an analysis showing that even with dynamic scoring, repealing the Affordable Care Act will increase federal budget deficits over ten years and the long term, and it will take health insurance coverage away from millions of people. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more than 16 million people have gained health insurance who would otherwise be uninsured. Insurance companies can no longer deny coverage or discriminate against individuals based on pre-existing health conditions, which affect an estimated 129 million Americans. According to CBO's analysis, repealing the law would add 19 million people in America to the ranks of the uninsured in 2016, rising to 24 million by 2021. Without dynamic scoring, CBO estimates repeal would increase deficits by $353 billion over ten years. Even with potential macroeconomic effects included, which CBO describes as "highly uncertain,' CBO estimates repeal would increase deficits by $137 billion.

"The Affordable Care Act improved Medicare benefits and reduced wasteful overpayments, helping improve Medicare's financial footing. Health care costs have grown at record-low rates in recent years, and health reform probably contributed to that slowdown by focusing attention on the need to contain costs and improve value. In short, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, we have made substantial, meaningful progress on improving the health care system in this country. As we gain more experience with the law, I am willing to work with any Member of Congress on either side of the aisle to make improvements so that the program can work even better. But repealing the Affordable Care Act will increase deficits while bringing suffering to millions of families who finally have some health security as a result of the law. It is long past time for Republicans to put an end to their obsessive crusade against the Affordable Care Act and start acting like responsible legislators."

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