(VOVworld)- The White House and House of Representatives are considering changes to the American Health Care Act (AHCA) proposed by the Republicans to replace the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare. Many Republicans balked when the Congressional Budget Office predicted that millions of Americans will lose their health coverage if the AHCA is passed.

The US considers new healthcare bill (Photo: Eric Thayer/Reuters)

On March 13, the Congressional Budget Office, which conducts a cost/effective analysis of new legislation, estimated that fourteen million people will become uninsured next year if the American Health Care Act is passed. That number is estimated to increase to 24 million by 2026. Insurance premiums for people between 55 and 65 will increase 20 to 25% by 2026.

The CBO report is a blow to President Trump’s efforts to eliminate and replace Obamacare. Since the release of the CBO report, many House Republicans have expressed misgivings. Congressman Leonard Lance of New Jersey said the AHCA will not be approved by Congress. Congressman Ileana Ros Lehtinen of Florida gives concern about a massive reduction of health insurance coverage. Conservative Republicans criticized the AHCA for being too costly and too similar to Obamacare. Democrats say the bill hurts low-income Americans.

According to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, 16% Americans consider health care their top concern against, 14% say economy and 11 % say terrorism. This is the first time that health care has topped the list of Americans’ concerns since the survey began in 2012.