September 22, 2017/Press

Senator Berger Fully Embraces Graham-Cassidy, Calls it “Good Policy”

Raleigh – Yesterday, Senator Berger fully embraced the Graham-Cassidy health care repeal, calling the bill “good policy,” according to the News & Observer, even though the bill would raise premiums, end Medicaid as we know it, and allow insurers to charge people with preexisting conditions more for the same care.

A new study from Protect Our Care puts in stark relief what this disastrous bill – that Senator Berger touts as “good policy” – would do to North Carolina:

1,148,000 – At least 1.1 million North Carolinians would lose coverage by 2027.

458,588 – Nearly 460,000 North Carolinians with traditional Medicaid coverage, including seniors, people with disabilities, and children, would be at risk of losing coverage.

1,414,620 – More than 1.4 million North Carolinian children are currently enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, whose care could be at risk.

$98 billion – North Carolina is projected to lose as much as $98 billion in federal health care funding over the next two decades.

421,275 – More than 420,000 North Carolina families would no longer receive tax credits that help them afford health insurance.

300,255 – More than 300,000 North Carolina residents would go without subsidies that help reduce their out-of-pocket expenses.

20 percent – Average premiums could increase by 20%, if not more, in the next year alone.

$20,716 – According to AARP, 60-year-old North Carolinians could pay as much as a $20,716 more in higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs in 2020.

796,000 – Nearly 800,000 North Carolinians with employer-sponsored coverage could see lifetime and annual limits again.

$0 – No explicit funding to combat substance use disorder, such as fighting the opioid epidemic, is included in this bill.

0 – Guaranteed protections for the 3,929,400 North Carolinians with preexisting conditions would be gutted.

 

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