WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican and Democratic senators have announced a plan aimed at stabilizing America’s health insurance markets in the wake of President Donald Trump’s order to terminate “Obamacare” subsidies.
Trump himself has spoken approvingly of the deal, but some conservatives are denouncing it as an insurance company bailout. Health insurance markets have been in limbo following GOP failures to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Trump announced last week that he would end monthly “cost sharing reduction” payments the government makes to help insurance companies reduce costs for lower-income people.
The deal negotiated by Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington would continue the insurer payments for two years, while establishing new flexibility for states.
President Donald Trump is expressing support for an agreement struck by two leading lawmakers to extend federal payments to health insurers.
Trump spoke at a news conference in the Rose Garden Tuesday with the Greek Prime Minister. He commented after Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee told reporters that he and a top Democrat have reached an agreement on a plan to extend the federal payments that Trump has blocked.
Trump says the White House has been involved in what he calls a “short-term deal.”
He said he still thinks a system where funding is given to states through federal block grants is the best long-term plan.
