Bullock condemns GOP health care act as “damaging”

By Missoula Current

Gov. Steve Bullock this week said the American Health Care Act would have damaging impacts on Montana residents and place the state's fiscal health at risk.

The act, passed by Republican leaders in the U.S. House earlier this month, is the party's second attempt to replace Obamacare. The U.S. Senate is currently writing its own version.

Bullock criticized Republican leaders in the House for passing the act, which the Congressional Budget Office suggests would cost as many as 23 million American's their health care coverage.

“The House of Representatives has passed a half-baked and heartless proposal that would increase healthcare costs and throw thousands of Montanans off their insurance,” Bullock said.

“People’s lives are on the line," the governor added. "Congress needs to focus on solutions that will increase quality of care and drive down costs for hard-working families across the country instead of giving tax cuts to millionaires and drug companies."

According to Bullock, if passed in its current form, the American Health Care Act would:

• - Increase the average Montanans’ premium and out-of-pocket costs by$4,606.
• - Result in denied coverage or unaffordable prices for 426,400 Montanans with pre-existing conditions.
• - Shift over $3 billion of costs to the state, posing a threat to the fiscal health of the state.
• - 331,300 Montanans would be subject to lifetime limits, leaving them vulnerable to caps from insurance companies.
• - Put 77,000 Montanans at risk of losing coverage under Medicaid expansion.
• - Give 2.1% of the wealthiest Montanans tax cuts while 259,000 Montanans would be at risk of losing their coverage or facing increased costs.