Repeal of health coverage requirement will leave millions uninsured

WASHINGTON, DC—Today AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to the amendment to the tax bill that repeals the health coverage requirement:  

  “The amendment to repeal the individual health coverage requirement will leave millions of Americans uninsured, destabilize the health insurance market, and lead to spikes in the cost of premiums.

  “The Congressional Budget Office recently confirmed that repealing the individual health coverage requirement would lead to 13 million Americans losing their health coverage, including 2 million Americans who would lose employer-sponsored coverage.

  “AARP urges Congress to reject this amendment, which also undermines the bipartisan health bill offered last month by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA) that is intended to reduce premium spikes and stabilize the individual health insurance market.”