House Should Postpone Health Vote Until CBO Score

House leadership is reportedly considering making significant changes to the American Health Care Act (AHCA), including repeal of the essential health benefits standard and other insurance regulations. These changes would be in addition to ones previously released as part of the manager’s amendments, which have not yet been scored by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, issued the following statement urging a new score from the CBO before the vote:

Americans wouldn’t make a major purchase like a car or home without reading the fine print, and Congress shouldn’t pass a bill remaking the American health care system without knowing the cost.

A new CBO score incorporating all changes must be provided before the House begins consideration of the bill.

Congress should not have to pass the bill to find out how much it will cost.

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For more information contact Patrick Newton, Press Secretary, at newton@crfb.org.