22M people could lose health insurance under Obamacare replacement

Twenty-two million people stand to lose health insurance under the Senate's Obamacare replacement bill.

But the White House, and Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey, say they're skeptical of that assessment, as more Republicans say they'll vote "no."

"This bill is currently in front of the United States Senate. It's not the answer," said Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nevada.

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According to The New York Times, only 17 Republican senators currently support the bill, 27 are unclear, and up to eight say no to the bill's current form.

Only three no votes sink the bill.

"The Senate bill is every bit as "mean" as the House bill," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York.

The non partisan Congressional Budget Office finds 22 million more Americans would be without health insurance by 2026.

And an end to Medicaid expansion could save $231 billion over the next decade.

"We need that in order to make the program viable and to deal with these massive deficits and the mounting debt that we have," said Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pennsylvania.

This is a big concern for nursing homes the federal government is required to take care of. But the states decide who qualifies, and experts say they would need to slash services.

There will likely be last minute changes Tuesday and Wednesday. Senate leaders want to put the bill up for a vote Thursday or Friday.

Toomey is one of 13 senators who crafted the bill in secret.

In a statement, the senator urged his colleagues to, "Avoid overreacting to questionable predictions and stay focused on delivering on our promise to move health care in a more consumer-driver, sustainable direction."

The score finds premiums would sink by about 20 percent by 2026, but those in the individual market would be hit with dramatic increases for services.

Democratic senators, including Bob Casey, sat on the steps of the Capitol, listening to dire predictions about the bill. In a tweet, they say they are listening to stories of children with pre-existing conditions and adults fearing lifetime caps.

Cox Media Group