U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released an analysis of the Graham-Cassidy bill confirming that the GOP bill will rip health insurance away from millions of hardworking Americans:

“Time is of the essence to stop the Republican plan to hike costs and rip health coverage away from our neighbors,” said U.S. Rep. Castor.  “Doctors, nurses, hospitals, the AARP and health organizations in Tampa Bay and across the nation are speaking out strongly in opposition to the Republican bill.  I strongly urge Republicans and President Trump to return to bipartisan efforts to lower costs and boost coverage.

“The nonpartisan CBO has confirmed what we have all suspected since Republicans’ latest attempt to cut coverage: millions of Americans would lose their health coverage compared to the Affordable Care Act while throwing the insurance markets that all of us depend on into chaos.  Specifically, the bill steals $1 trillion away from Medicaid by 2026 which will end care to children, older neighbors and people with disabilities.  Floridians who rely on HealthCare.gov for affordable care also will be cut off entirely – 1.7 million of our neighbors – if President Trump and Republicans have their way.  I will continue to stand up for them and all Americans to ensure affordable care, fight for lower costs and bipartisan solutions."

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