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Amid an ongoing government shutdown and financial crunch, President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as “Obamacare,” urging Senate Republicans to send healthcare funds “directly to the people” instead of “money-sucking insurance companies.” In an X post amplified by the White House, Trump stated, “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…” Direct medical payments to Americans Trump’s proposal means redirecting federal subsidies which are currently distributed through insurance providers to individual Americans, who would then have the freedom to purchase their own healthcare coverage or use the funds as they see fit. While no detailed legislative plan has been unveiled, the idea aligns with conservative proposals for government-funded health savings accounts or flexible spending schemes. According to Trump, direct payments would empower citizens, reduce bureaucracy, and eliminate what Trump described as the “middlemen” profiting from the ACA’s structure. Several Republican lawmakers and right-leaning policy groups have welcomed the renewed focus on personal choice and cost transparency in healthcare spending. Meanwhile, Democrats and healthcare advocates, however, have warned that dismantling ACA subsidies could destabilise insurance markets and leave millions without affordable coverage. They argue that subsidies paid to insurers are essential for maintaining stability and ensuring access to care for low- and middle-income Americans. Trump’s decision also reflects his broader campaign promise to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act, a goal that eluded his administration during his previous term. While Senate Republicans have yet to formally respond to his recommendation, the proposal has reignited the debate over whether America’s healthcare system should rely on government-mediated insurance or direct citizen support. What is Affordable Care Act (ACA) or “Obamacare”? The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, is a health law passed in the United States in 2010. Its goal is to help more people get affordable health insurance and improve healthcare access. The law expanded Medicaid, a government health programme for low-income people, and created insurance marketplaces where people can buy health plans with the help of government subsidies.
