WASHINGTON, D.C., November 14, 2017 — Today, a group of 16 non-partisan patient and consumer groups issued the following statement on last week’s Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report. In the report, the CBO assessed the impact of a repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate to purchase health insurance coverage:
“The CBO’s recent report estimates that 13 million fewer Americans will have health insurance if Congress repeals the ACA’s requirement that all individuals carry adequate coverage. In addition, premiums would increase on average by 10 percent. Our organizations are deeply troubled that Congress is considering action that would result in coverage losses, particularly without considering corresponding ways to balance or mitigate these losses.”
“Any changes Congress makes to our health care system should be focused upon expanding access to quality, affordable health coverage for all Americans. American families deserve no less. Legislation that reduces the number of people with coverage and increases premiums fails to meet this standard. Repealing the individual mandate without otherwise increasing access to adequate, affordable health insurance is a step backwards for individuals and families.
“We call upon all members of the House and Senate to ensure that any changes to our health care system will help stabilize the health insurance market and result in more, not fewer, Americans having adequate, affordable health insurance. Our organizations stand ready to work with Congress toward this goal, which will help secure the individual, community and economic wellbeing of our nation.”
Groups signing on to the statement include:
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
American Liver Foundation
American Lung Association
Consumers Union, the policy and mobilization arm of Consumer Reports
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Epilepsy Foundation
Family Voices
Futures Without Violence
Luther Services in America
March of Dimes
Mended Little Hearts
National Health Council
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Health Council