‘I Think I Will Get It Done’: Trump’s Renewed Health Care Push Catches Republicans Off Guard
President Donald Trump's focus on health care has the potential of leading to a second embarrassing defeat that would raise more questions about the new administration’s ability to shepherd complicated legislation through Congress.
The Wall Street Journal:
Trump Shifts Back To Health Care
After losing a fight to revamp the health-care system, President Donald Trump said last month he was prepared to put the setback behind him and move on to the next challenge, rewriting the tax code. Three weeks later, he said he is determined to resurrect the health-care bill even if it means delaying the tax overhaul, telling The Wall Street Journal in an interview: “I want to get health care done…I think I will get it done.” (Radnofsky, Nicholas and Rubin, 4/13)
In his efforts, the president is eyeing subsidies as a bargaining chip —
The New York Times:
Trump Threatens Health Subsidies To Force Democrats To Bargain
In the weeks since President Trump’s attempts to replace the Affordable Care Act collapsed, the administration has debated what to do: Try again? Shore up the insurance marketplaces? Or let the whole system collapse? Mr. Trump has failed to get enough support from his own party, but he hopes to get the Democrats’ help by forcing them to the negotiating table with hints about the chaos he could cause. (Pear, 4/13)
Marketplace:
President Trump Might Withhold ACA Subsidy Payments
Under current law, the federal government repays some money to insurance companies for covering people with very low income. President Trump said he was still considering what to do about those payments. Bob Atlas, president of healthcare consultancy EBG Advisors, said legally speaking, Trump can do that. (Uhler, 4/13)
