Trump tells advisers he wants to end key Obamacare subsidies Many senior aides oppose the move for fear it will backfire politically.
By Josh Dawsey , Jennifer Haberkorn and Paul Demko
| 05/19/2017 03:06 PM EDT
| Updated 05/19/2017 09:15 PM EDT President Donald Trump has told advisers he wants to end payments of key Obamacare subsidies, a move that could send the health law's insurance markets into a tailspin, according to several sources familiar with the conversations.
Many advisers oppose the move because they worry it would backfire politically if people lose their insurance or see huge premium spikes and blame the White House, the sources said. Trump has said that the bold move could force Congressional Democrats to the table to negotiate an Obamacare replacement.
Lawyers and other administration officials are trying to thread the needle.
Trump told aides in a Tuesday Oval Office meeting that he wants to end the payments to insurers because he doesn't gain anything by continuing them, according to a senior White House adviser. "Why the hell would we?" he asked about continuing the payments, according to the adviser. Trump added that if Congress wants the subsidies, lawmakers would find a way to pay for them, the adviser said.
Trump has previously expressed conflicting opinions on the issue. Insurers have been pressing for certainty as they plan for next year.
The payments, estimated at $7 billion for this year, go to insurance companies to reduce deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs for low-income consumers — an estimated 7 million people in 2017. Insurers are on the hook under the health law to keep paying even if the federal money stops.
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http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/19/donald-trump-end-payments-obamacare-subsidies-238616
