Trump takes harder line against ACA subsidies

President Trump on Tuesday told Congress not to "waste" its time on an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, saying they would only enrich insurance companies.

Why it matters: Trump's Truth Social post takes a harder line against the subsidies at a time when some in Congress are still hoping for a bipartisan deal to extend them and head off a sharp increase in premium costs for millions of Americans.

What they're saying: Trump doubled down on his idea to send ACA subsidy money directly to consumers.

• "THE ONLY HEALTHCARE I WILL SUPPORT OR APPROVE IS SENDING THE MONEY DIRECTLY BACK TO THE PEOPLE," Trump wrote.
• He said people could "buy their own, much better, insurance" and Congress should not "waste your time and energy on anything else."

Between the lines: It's not clear how Trump's plan would work.

• Some in Congress have floated using health savings accounts to help consumers pay out of pocket expenses.
• But Trump referenced giving people money to buy health insurance, which is how the ACA marketplaces work.
• One option could be allowing consumers to buy health plans with cheaper, skimpier coverage that don't comply with the ACA. Experts warn that such a move could destabilize the ACA markets.

The bottom line: Trump's post throws a wrench into efforts in Congress to extend the subsidies, which expire at the end of the year if lawmakers don't act.

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