Trump plan for Obamacare subsidies on hold after GOP pushback
WASHINGTON ‒ President Donald Trump appeared ready to propose a policy framework to address health care costs that included extending subsidies in the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, set to expire at the end of December, according to multiple media reports.
But the White House is delaying the proposal amid resistance from congressional Republicans, MS NOW reported and CNN reported .
An announcement had been expected as soon as Nov. 24. The proposal, which would require approval from Congress, includes a two-year extension of the expiring ACA, often called "Obamacare," subsidies in exchange for new eligibility limits to enroll in the ACA, according to Politico .
Although the White House never put the health care announcement on the president's official schedule, several reports said a rollout was coming this week. Those plans now appear to be scrapped following a backlash from Republicans in Congress.
"A lot of folks are getting nervous because the president of the United States has the audacity to propose some changes to the ACA," Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tennessee, an ally of Trump, said in a video posted on X. "At least Trump's proposal does something over a two-year period. It keeps people from losing their insurance and it verifies that not a bunch of fraud is going on."
The congressman added, "Anyway, I think it's something we ought to be looking at, but we probably won't. We'll probably kill it in the press."
Politico reported that the proposed eligibility restrictions in Trump's proposal involved capping eligibility at 700% above the federal poverty line. In addition, the White House plan sought to appropriate funds to reduce out-of-pocket costs for ACA plans and to allow enrollees who move down to a lower-premium health plan to place their tax credit in a tax-advantaged savings account.
The White House's dive into health care policy comes as ACA premiums are on track to skyrocket at the end of the year if the subsidies are not extended, putting Republicans in Congress in a dilemma to avert a major political liability ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The policy fight was at the center of the record-breaking government shutdown that ended earlier this month.
The White House neither confirmed nor denied the reports on the proposal or its delay. “Until President Trump makes an announcement himself, any reporting about the Administration’s healthcare positions is mere speculation," White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters health care is being discussed "very frequently and robustly inside the West Wing."
“Right now, the president is very much involved in these talks, and he’s very focused on unveiling a health care proposal that will fix the system and bring down costs for consumers," Leavitt said, without elaborating on any details.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair last week said the Trump administration plans to put forward a health care bill. "We’re going to have the health care conversation. We’re going to put some legislation forward," Blair said at a Nov. 18 Bloomberg Government policy breakfast.
Trump's Obamacare fix: Send consumers money, not insurance companies
Trump has repeatedly talked about overhauling the Affordable Care Act, the signature law of former President Barack Obama, and floated the idea of sending federal dollars directly to consumers rather than health insurance companies.
As part of the recently approved deal to end the 43-day government shutdown, Senate Republicans agreed to hold a vote on the expiring subsidies in December. Democrats had previously demanded that extending the subsidies be included in any deal to reopen the government but retreated in exchange for a vote .
Republican lawmakers have been split on how to address the subsidies, with some hardline conservatives arguing to let them expire and moderates backing an extension.
About 22 million Americans who get ACA tax credits will see their monthly premium payments more than double on average if the subsidies are not extended, according to KFF , meaning consumers would pay an average of $1,016 more in 2026.
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
(This story has been updated with more information.)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump plan for Obamacare subsidies on hold after GOP pushback
