President-elect Trump means angst for ‘Obamacare’ consumers
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s election ushers in a time of high anxiety for people with health insurance under President Barack Obama’s law, which expanded coverage to millions but has struggled to find widespread public acceptance.
While repeal now seems likely, that may take Congress months. A replacement for the 2010 health care law could take even longer, and may retain some of its features. Republicans are saying they want to protect people who now are covered from losing health care in the shift. While Congress labours, look for the Trump administration to use its regulatory powers to make changes.
Voters “don’t want Washington to fix Obamacare, they want to make health care affordable,” said House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, whose committee oversees much of health care. “I’m confident we will have more truly affordable health care for just as many Americans.”
“It’s our goal to dismantle Obamacare and actually focus on lowering the cost of coverage for people,” said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., a member of the Republican leadership. “It’s a commitment on behalf of Congress and the president-elect to get this done.”