WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ) issued the following statement after the Congressional Budget Office released their new score of the Republican-backed American Health Care Act (AHCA):

“Twenty days ago, House Republicans turned their backs on millions of Americans by passing the American Health Care Act,” Rep. Grijalva said. “The Congressional Budget Office’s score released today confirms what we had known all along; dismantling our healthcare system will leave millions uninsured, roll back basic coverage, and increase premiums for the most vulnerable populations. It will send costs skyrocketing for seniors and those with pre-existing conditions in order to provide financial windfall to millionaires and billionaires.

“According to the CBO report, if Republicans get their way, 23 million Americans will lose their health insurance, out-of-pocket costs for services such as maternity care and mental health would increase by thousands of dollars and it would all come on the backs of those who need healthcare coverage the most.

“Instead of dismantling the progress that has been made to improve health care in this country, we should work together on behalf of our constituents to make common sense improvements to the ACA. We should pass a public insurance option to ensure plan prices are competitive, allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices to reduce the costs of prescriptions, reduce deductibles and make premium tax credits more generous. Unfortunately, the majority is interested in nothing more than political gamesmanship, but a game that risks American lives is one that must never be played.”