Trump's Obamacare Overhaul Proposal
President Donald Trump has urged Republican senators to fundamentally reshape American healthcare policy, proposing to scrap subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and redirect the funds directly to individuals. The controversial suggestion came as the United States entered its 39th day of a partial government shutdown, creating mounting disruption across federal services.
From his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump took to social media to declare: "I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE". He claimed this would allow Americans to purchase better healthcare plans while having money left over.
Republican Support and Political Reality
The proposal received immediate backing from prominent Republican senators including Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Rick Scott of Florida and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. However, the plan faces significant political hurdles that Republican lawmakers appeared unable to immediately reconcile.
The fundamental obstacle remains that any legislation to reopen the government requires support from eight Democratic senators, while the concept of replacing Obamacare with savings accounts is considered toxic to Democratic priorities. Additionally, the practical reality that consumers would still need to purchase plans from the same insurance companies undermined Trump's characterisation of the proposal.
Transport Chaos Deepens as Shutdown Continues
The political manoeuvring occurred against a backdrop of increasing disruption to American travellers. US airlines cancelled 1,460 flights on the second day of government-mandated flight cuts, though the slowdown at many of the nation's busiest airports hadn't yet caused widespread disruptions.
Analysts warned that the upheaval would intensify significantly if cancellations increased approaching the Thanksgiving holiday period. The flight reductions represent the most visible impact of what has now become the longest federal shutdown in US history.
Meanwhile, in other developments, Trump was reportedly pressing the NFL's Washington Commanders to name their planned $3.7bn stadium after him, while businesses worldwide braced for additional Trump tariffs on steel imports. The Department of Homeland Security also faced embarrassment after authorising the purchase of Spirit Airlines jets that the airline didn't actually own and which lacked engines.
