Chairman Guthrie Issues Statement Regarding CBO Coverage Update from the One Big Beautiful Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement regarding the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) latest coverage update on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). “Our Republican-led One Big Beautiful Bill Act promotes the core mission of protecting our most vulnerable Americans by strengthening, securing, and sustaining our crucial federal health programs,” said Chairman Guthrie . “The Democrat lies have been loud, but the truth is louder. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a win for American families—especially expectant mothers, their children, low-income seniors, and people with disabilities. “The prolonged lie exacerbated by Democrats that 17 million individuals will lose health care coverage from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has finally been dispelled by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). In the most recent coverage update released by CBO, CBO estimates 10 million individuals enrolled in federal health care programs will no longer be covered, with 5.3 million being able-bodied adults refusing to work, 3.7 million having access to other forms of coverage, and the remaining balance being removed from the rolls since coverage was limited to U.S. citizens and lawfully permanent residents. It’s easy to scare people with coverage loss estimates, but the facts are clear – the vast majority of these individuals are either choosing to lose coverage or aren’t actually eligible for Medicaid, and nearly all are eligible for other forms coverage. “I think about Americans all across the country, who work hard every day but have to pay with their own taxpayer dollars for the health care of millions of able-bodied Americans who are choosing not to work. Republicans will continue to find commonsense solutions that ensure these programs are available for those who need them most, for generations to come. I thank President Trump for his steadfast leadership on this issue and for signing a piece of legislation that promotes the future of our health programs program to serve its intended purpose.” BACKGROUND: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released the updated coverage numbers for H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). CBO estimated the total number of uninsured beneficiaries to be 10 million by 2034. The breakdown includes: 5.3 million able-bodied adults currently covered by Medicaid who are choosing not to work; 3.7 million individuals who will have access to another form of health insurance; and 1 million individuals who are not U.S. citizens or lawfully permanent residents.