GOP Tax Scam That Congressman Ciscomani And Schweikert Supported Increases Medical Debt for Millions of Americans

TUCSON —  In addition to kicking millions off their health care coverage through drastic cuts to Medicaid, the GOP Tax Scam that Congressmen Ciscomani and Schweikert support will increase medical debt for over 5 million Americans, the group Third Way found.

According to CNBC:

“Overall, medical debt would increase by $50 billion as a result of the budget bill changes — a 15% rise over today’s $340 billion in unpaid debts, according to Third Way.

Health coverage losses would increase the number of people in families with medical debt by 5.4 million, according to Third Way’s report. More than 100 million people currently have medical debt in the U.S., according to KFF.

An estimated 2.2 million households would have medical debt because of Medicaid coverage losses, while 3.2 million more people would rack up balances due to Affordable Care Act reforms that may prompt coverage losses or higher premiums, according to Third Way.

Without coverage, families may see their medical debts increase by as much as $22,800, according to Third Way’s report. About 87% of households that previously had no medical debt would accumulate an average of $22,800 in balances. Meanwhile, 13% of households may accumulate an additional average of $8,790 in medical debt on top of $13,490 in existing balances.

"At a time when Arizonans are demanding lower costs and better access to health care, Congressmen Ciscomani and Schweikert are supporting a bill that kicks millions off health care and increases medical debt just to give more tax breaks to the wealthiest and corporations," said Andrea Moreno, executive director of Honest Arizona. "Congressmen Schweikert and Ciscomani need to vote against the GOP Tax Scam when it comes before the House again for a vote."

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