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The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated budget reductions of $104 billion (updated to $109 billion) during the first decade, and "slight" further ones in the next decade.
Myth: The House bill doesn't coverage its costs.
Fact check:
The CBO estimated that "the net cost of the coverage expansions would be more than offset by the combination of other spending changes, which CBO estimates would save $426 billion, and receipts resulting from the income tax surcharge on high-income individuals and other provisions, which JCT (Joint Committee on Taxation) and CBO estimate would increase federal revenues by $572 billion" over 10 years.
Myth: The House bill prohibits selling private insurance.
Fact check:
Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Michele Bachmann (R. MN) and others claim what's patently false. Private insurers will profit hugely under both House and Senate bills, even with a public option under which only six million will qualify in HR 3962.
Myth: HR 3962 ends tax credits for small businesses.
Fact check:
The provision critics cite actually adds an additional tax credit, available for small businesses.
Myth: The House bill creates "death panels."
Fact check:
The bill provides voluntary, Medicare-subsidized end-of-life counseling sessions, not "death panels."
Myth: HR 3962 provides coverage for undocumented immigrants.
Fact check:
The bill stipulates that individuals "not lawfully present" may not receive subsidies to purchase insurance.
