President Donald Trump has denied reports that he advocated for a two-year extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, calling Obamacare a “disaster.” Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday night, Trump said, “I’d rather not. Somebody said I want to extend them for two years. I don’t want to extend them for two years. I’d rather not extend them at all.”
The Covid-era subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year, and Congress is running out of time to act. Democrats had attempted to use support for a federal funding bill as leverage to extend the subsidies, but after the longest government shutdown in US history, they failed to secure that demand. Now Republicans are scrambling to develop their own affordable healthcare policy.
Politico reported on Monday that Trump had proposed a two-year extension of the subsidies, but the plan faced resistance from Republicans. Trump acknowledged that “some kind of extension may be necessary to get something else done,” but reiterated his opposition. “The premiums are going up, and it’s the Democrats’ fault,” he added.
Health policy research organisation KFF warned in late September that premiums would more than double on average next year if the subsidies expire. Over 24 million people are enrolled in the ACA Marketplace, with the vast majority receiving subsidies, according to KFF.
Trump, who failed to partially repeal Obamacare during his first term, outlined his alternative healthcare plan: “Don’t give any money to the insurance companies. Give it to the people directly. Let them go out and buy their own healthcare plan.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune has promised to bring legislation to extend the subsidies to a vote by mid-December.
