Trump says would prefer not to extend Obamacare subsidies

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he does not want to extend Obamacare subsidies but might consider such a move after a report said the White House was preparing a two-year extension of Affordable Care Act insurance premium subsidies.

Millions of enrollees in ACA health insurance programs — also known as Obamacare — face sharp premium increases with the subsidies due to expire on December 31.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew to Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday, Mr. Trump made clear he was against a two-year extension, in line with Republican lawmakers who voiced opposition to it.

But he said it was possible some type of extension might be necessary in the short term.

Politico reported on Monday that the White House was preparing a health-policy framework that would extend Affordable Care Act insurance premium subsidies for two years, with new eligibility limits expected to be added.

“I don’t want to extend them for two years. I’d rather not extend them at all,” Mr. Trump said. But he added without elaborating: “Some kind of extension may be necessary to get something else done.”

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement earlier on Tuesday that Mr. Trump was not considering “a straight two-year subsidy extension.”

“The President is having ongoing conversations with members of his administration, members of Congress, and private sector experts,” Ms. Leavitt added.

Americans shopping for 2026 ACA health insurance plans face monthly premiums that are more than double on average, and they are likely to postpone signing up in hopes of a last-minute reprieve or to walk away, health experts have said.

Democrats’ demand for an extension of the subsidies was the core issue in Congress that led to the federal government shutdown that ended earlier this month.

The attention on healthcare costs has highlighted voter concerns about the cost of living broadly, a key factor in recent Democratic election victories.