President Donald Trump unveiled his 'Great Healthcare Plan' via social media video, focusing on drug prices and insurance reforms but ignoring rising Affordable Care Act premiums. The announcement comes as Senate negotiations on extending expired ACA subsidies falter, with enrollment deadlines looming. A House bill to extend the subsidies passed last week despite Republican opposition.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump released a video on social media outlining his 'Great Healthcare Plan,' which the White House described as a broad framework for future legislation. Hosted by Dr. Mehmet Oz, chief of Medicare and Medicaid, the plan rests on four pillars: drug price reforms, health insurance reforms, price transparency for health costs, and fraud protections. Trump stated the plan 'will truly make healthcare affordable again,' emphasizing sending subsidy money directly to eligible Americans instead of insurance companies to lower premiums and cut kickbacks.
The proposal includes expanding over-the-counter access to verified safe pharmaceutical drugs and a cost-sharing reduction program. However, experts note it does not address the immediate crisis of skyrocketing ACA premiums following the expiration of enhanced subsidies at the end of last year. Cynthia Cox, a senior vice president at KFF, described it as 'a compilation of Republican ideas, including some that are already in the Affordable Care Act,' adding that it 'doesn't appear to address the rising premium payments that we're seeing.'
Meanwhile, bipartisan Senate talks on extending the subsidies are stalling. Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), leading the effort, said negotiations are 'still in the red zone' for a two-year extension, though proposal language may not be ready until after the Senate's 10-day recess. Splits persist over issues like the Hyde Amendment on abortion funding. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) remains optimistic, stating, 'I'm not giving up,' especially as ACA open enrollment ends Thursday, forcing families to decide on coverage amid higher costs.
In the House, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) bucked GOP leadership to force a vote via discharge petition, passing a three-year extension bill last week with Democrats and 17 Republicans. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries celebrated it on X, noting it overcame objections from Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson. Moreno praised Trump's plan but insisted it does not derail subsidy talks, blaming Democratic resistance.
