During the 2016 presidential campaign, candidate Trump promised to repeal Obamacare at least 68 times. Last week, President Trump delivered a one-two punch at the unpopular and ineffective law. President Donald Trump’s order is not exactly a “repeal and replace” of Obamacare. But the measure, together with a change in subsidy payments, is expected to accelerate Obamacare’s demise and put pressure on Congress to find a permanent fix.
A Heavy Blow
Trump signed an executive order on Oct. 12, expanding access to association health plans for small businesses and citizen associations. Additionally, the plans can be purchased across the state lines. The order is expected to revitalize the individual health insurance markets, offering more choices to consumers and bringing down premiums.Later that same day, the White House announced its decision to end federal subsidies to insurers under Obamacare. The subsidies are meant to help lower the out-of-pocket expenses of low-income Americans who buy insurance on Obamacare Exchanges. (The federal subsidies to lower the premiums of those who are insured under Obamacare are not affected.)
