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Mitch McConnell.
The Congressional Budget Office on Monday released its analysis for the Senate Republican healthcare bill on Monday, projecting significant coverage losses if the legislation were to become law.The CBO projected that 22 million fewer people would have coverage under the bill in 2026, named the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), than under the current healthcare system. This is also slightly below the CBO's projection that 23 million fewer people would have coverage under the House GOP's American Health Care Act (AHCA).
Crucially for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the CBO projected the bill would reduce the federal deficit by $321 million, more than the $119 million in savings in the House bill. To qualify under Senate rules, the BCRA was required to cut more from he deficit than the AHCA.
Moderate GOP senators who have expressed concerns over large coverage losses may not be reassured by the score.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, a moderate Republican and key swing vote, said Thursday that coverage losses of the size estimated by the CBO score were not acceptable.
"I cannot support a bill that's going to result in tens of millions of people losing their health insurance," Collins said.
McConnell can only lose two members for the bill to pass. Five Republicans publicly came out against the bill in its initial draft form.
This is a developing story...