President Trump on Thursday unveiled the outlines of a health care plan that he wants Congress to consider, with a major component being direct payments to Americans for health savings accounts.
The cornerstone of the proposal is sending money directly to consumers so they can bypass the federal government and handle insurance on their own. This mirrors an idea floated among Republican senators last year but has been met with skepticism by Democrats, who argue that it's insufficient to cover costs for most consumers.
Under this plan, the government would send money directly to individuals, which they could then use to purchase health insurance. The proposal also includes a framework to bring down premiums by fully funding cost-sharing reductions and making certain medications available over-the-counter if deemed safe enough.
Trump has long been criticized for his lack of a comprehensive health care plan, but this latest proposal appears to be a more concrete effort at addressing the issue. However, it's unclear whether Congress will take up the plan or try to introduce alternative legislation.
Critics argue that the plan is too narrow and would not adequately address rising health costs and insurance premiums. The White House has denied that Trump's plan closes the door on bipartisan negotiations in the Senate.
Overall, this proposal represents a significant shift in Trump's approach to health care reform, but its prospects for success remain uncertain.
The cornerstone of the proposal is sending money directly to consumers so they can bypass the federal government and handle insurance on their own. This mirrors an idea floated among Republican senators last year but has been met with skepticism by Democrats, who argue that it's insufficient to cover costs for most consumers.
Under this plan, the government would send money directly to individuals, which they could then use to purchase health insurance. The proposal also includes a framework to bring down premiums by fully funding cost-sharing reductions and making certain medications available over-the-counter if deemed safe enough.
Trump has long been criticized for his lack of a comprehensive health care plan, but this latest proposal appears to be a more concrete effort at addressing the issue. However, it's unclear whether Congress will take up the plan or try to introduce alternative legislation.
Critics argue that the plan is too narrow and would not adequately address rising health costs and insurance premiums. The White House has denied that Trump's plan closes the door on bipartisan negotiations in the Senate.
Overall, this proposal represents a significant shift in Trump's approach to health care reform, but its prospects for success remain uncertain.