A major budget bill currently under consideration in the US Senate could result in nearly 12 million Americans losing their health insurance coverage, according to recent estimates by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
The bill, known as President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also risks adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt.
The CBO, a non-partisan federal agency, projects that the legislation would cut healthcare funding by about $1 trillion if passed. The bill narrowly passed an initial Senate vote late Saturday with a 51-49 margin, after Republican leaders worked to secure enough support amid resistance within their ranks.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who voted against the bill, revealed he will not seek reelection. Alongside Tillis, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky also opposed the bill, joining all Senate Democrats in their criticism.
With Republicans holding a slim majority of 53 seats in the Senate and Vice President JD Vance ready to cast tie-breaking votes, the party can afford only three defections for the bill to pass. The debate highlights deep divisions within the Republican Party and signals challenges ahead for the legislation’s approval.
