Tools
Change country:

Republicans are serious about cutting people’s health care

Johnson stands behind and to the left of Trump as he speaks into a microphone.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans would pursue “massive” health care reform if Donald Trump is elected president in 2024. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images

If you’re confused, it’s not an accident.

Republicans are trying to have it both ways on health care during the 2024 campaign. They boast that they want to deregulate insurance and massively cut government spending, yet they also claim that they would never do anything to endanger people’s coverage.

That two-step keeps getting them into trouble. House Speaker Mike Johnson was recently caught on a tape promising to take “a blow torch to the regulatory state.” Donald Trump, Johnson said, would want to “go big” in his second term because he can’t run for a third one, the speaker told a group of Republican voters in Pennsylvania. And health care, Johnson said, would be “a big part” of the GOP’s agenda.

One attendee directly asked Johnson: No Obamacare? “No Obamacare,” Johnson said.

“The ACA is so deeply ingrained, we need massive reform to make this work. We’ve got a lot of ideas,” the House speaker added. He wasn’t more specific than that.

Kamala Harris’s campaign quickly flagged Johnson’s comments, and Republicans backtracked. The Donald Trump campaign said that was “not President Trump’s policy position.” Johnson insisted he had not actually promised to repeal Obamacare by emphasizing his comment that the 2010 law was “ingrained” while ignoring his subsequent promise of “massive reform.” 

Trump himself has alluded to having only “concepts of a plan” for American health care. That has left other Republicans to fill in the gaps and the party’s specific proposals remain poorly defined. But if there are a lot of details still to be filled in, the theme of the GOP’s health care agenda is clear: cuts. Cutting regulations. Cutting spending.

Johnson’s comments were not an isolated incident. Just last month, Trump’s vice presidential nominee, JD Vance, hinted at “a deregulatory agenda so that people can pick a health care plan that fits them.” If you actually parse his words about health insurance risk pools, it would be a return to a world where people could be charged more for coverage if they have preexisting medical conditions, the world before Obamacare.

It was the same promise Johnson was making. That is the reality: Should they win control of the White House and Congress this election, Republicans will attempt to cut people’s health care.

Republicans still want to make big health care cuts

When Obamacare repeal died in 2017, it might have been tempting to think that a chapter had come to a close. Instead, the fight over the future of US health care had entered a new era.

Make no mistake: Republican leaders still want to slash health care spending and unwind health insurance regulations. 

And Trump, whatever he might say, has proven before to be malleable to conventional conservative health policy. His people continue to put health care in the crosshairs, sometimes in ways that may not be as obvious. 

Elon Musk, who sometimes appears to be campaigning to be shadow president of the United States, has pledged to cut $2 trillion from the federal government’s $6.8 trillion budget. He has acknowledged that the cuts would result in “temporary” hardship, but insisted they would be to the long-term benefit of the country.

About $1 in every $5 in the federal budget goes to health care. Barring a severe cut to the US military (unlikely), such a plan would require massive cuts to the health care programs. Trump has often said he will protect Medicare, which covers seniors, but he has in the past endorsed enormous cuts to Medicaid, the program for low-income people that insures 73 million Americans, as part of the 2017 ACA repeal-and-replace bills. 

The main Republican bill to repeal and replace the ACA that nearly passed in 2017 was in fact as much about making massive Medicaid cuts by capping the program’s funding as it was about loosening health insurance regulations or repealing the individual mandate.

Republicans could try to pass another Obamacare repeal bill with a comprehensive Medicaid overhaul. Or they could chip away at health care in incremental ways, as we saw during the first Trump term after the Obamacare repeal bill failed. Trump cut funding for enrollment outreach for the ACA markets while rolling back rules for noncomprehensive plans, which resulted in catastrophic results for some patients who didn’t know what they were signing up for. 

Over Trump’s four years in office, the number of people covered by the ACA fell by more than 1 million, to 11.4 million. Since Joe Biden became president, and Democrats expanded the law’s insurance subsidies as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the number of people covered by marketplace plans has nearly doubled to 21.4 million.

If Trump takes office again, a repeat of that previous sabotage seems likely even if a bigger repeal effort fails to materialize. Republicans could cut outreach funding again. They could make subtler tweaks to the health insurance rules, such as increasing the premiums that older people can be charged compared to younger people or giving insurers more leniency in restricting benefits, networks, and other aspects of a person’s health coverage. They could make more targeted cuts to Medicaid or permit states to set up Medicaid work requirements again, as they did in the first Trump term only to be obstructed by the courts.

Why Republicans can’t be honest about their health care plan

The failure of Obamacare repeal is the reason Republicans keep insisting that their health care agenda is not what it plainly is whenever they accidentally reveal their intentions too clearly.

It’s easy to forget now, but Obamacare was a winning issue for Republicans at first. They stormed to historic congressional wins in the 2010 midterms by rallying voters against the new health care law. They then took dozens of votes to repeal all or parts of it while Barack Obama still held the veto pen. For most of its first decade, the ACA was deeply unpopular.

Then Trump won the presidency and the Republicans had to deliver on their promises to repeal and replace the law. GOP leaders did get the new president on board with a pretty conservative plan: It would have left the skeleton of the ACA, but pared back its rules and financial aid, while making those huge cuts to Medicaid.

Then something changed. As the repeal plan started to move through Congress, and projections of millions of Americans losing health insurance dominated news coverage, the politics of health care flipped. The law had quietly grown to cover a sizable chunk of people — more than 25 million — and, as importantly, it had started to change Americans’ minds about the government’s role in providing health care. “Preexisting conditions” became a loaded term, and when people understood that the GOP wanted to unwind the ACA’s health insurance rules, they loudly objected

Medicaid also flexed a political salience not seen before, with disability advocates in particular fearful of what cuts to that program would mean for them and drawing widespread coverage for their protests. Senate Republicans from states that expanded Medicaid through the health care law were ultimately responsible for stopping the repeal effort.

By the 2018 midterms, Democrats were hammering Republicans over health care and scoring surprising electoral wins. Today, the ACA is as popular as it’s ever been and US voters say they trust Democrats more on health care than the GOP.

This series of events has left Republicans in a bind. The relative success of the ACA has expanded the welfare state and influenced Americans’ perceptions of the role of government in ways that are antithetical to conservative economic thinking. They want to claw back some of those progressive wins. But they also have to be mindful of the changed politics of health care. 

Once in a while, particularly in “safe” conservative spaces, they slip up, admit they want to unwind the ACA, and then have to backtrack. Mike Johnson’s only mistake was being candid.


Read full article on: vox.com
Trump sues CBS News for $10B alleging ‘deceptive doctoring’ of Harris’ ‘60 Minutes’ interview
Former President Trump is suing CBS News for $10 billion in damages, stating the network practiced "deceptive conduct" for the purpose of election interference in its interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
9 m
nypost.com
How to watch ‘The Substance’ for free just in time for Halloween
Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley lead the outrageous body horror satire.
nypost.com
Homeless man gets just two years in prison for fracturing MTA worker’s eye socket, despite facing seven
"Will it be full deterrence? I doubt it," said the victim, Noreen Mallory.
nypost.com
Two of Jesus Christ’s biggest miracles may be science, not divine, new study claims
Scientists aren't fishing on this one.
nypost.com
Rapper Young Thug pleads guilty in YSL case in Atlanta
The rapper, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, pleaded no contest to two counts.
washingtonpost.com
"Dances with Wolves" actor is again indicted on sexual abuse charges
A grand jury in Nevada has again indicted Nathan Chasing Horse on charges that he sexually abused Indigenous women and girls for decades.
cbsnews.com
Trump makes play for blue-leaning state as he briefly detours from the battlegrounds
Former President Trump arrives in New Mexico and predicts he can win the onetime swing state that's leaned toward the Democrats in the White House race for nearly two decades.
foxnews.com
Comcast considers spinning off cable channels like MSNBC. But analysts have doubts
Comcast is considering spinning off its cable network business, which includes USA Network, Syfy and Bravo, as the media giant grabbles with the changes in the linear television industry.
latimes.com
In Madison Square Garden, Donald Trump’s Rallies Hit a New Low
The presidential campaign gets down and dirty
slate.com
America's 'most haunted hotel,' plus surprising snack favored by NFL players
The Fox News Lifestyle Newsletter brings you trending stories on family, travel, food, neighbors helping neighbors, pets, autos, military veterans, heroes, faith and American values.
foxnews.com
Men, get out and vote and don’t let Harris lie her way into White House
Across the country the difference in early voting between women and men is already glaring.
nypost.com
Pirate of the Subterranean: Violent thief dressed as cheap pirate steals man’s sneakers in NYC subway
The costumed plunderer approached a 32-year-old man around 4 a.m. Sunday at the turnstile area of the Brook Avenue subway station and punched him multiple times, authorities said. 
nypost.com
All the celebrity Halloween 2024 costumes: Kendall Jenner, Malia Obama, Selena Gomez, more
As Halloween is coming to an end these A-list celebs brought their A game for their costumes this year. From Lizzo getting the last laugh by dressing up as a box of Ozempic to Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco showing off their first ever couple’s costume, these celebs went all out for the occasion. Watch...
nypost.com
Gisele Bündchen pregnant with Joaquim Valente: What to know about her boyfriend
Gisele Bündchen debuted her baby bump as she's expecting her first child with boyfriend Joaquim Valente. The supermodel and the jiu-jitsu instructor first began dating in June 2023.
foxnews.com
Virginia assistant principal charged with failure to report assaults
Police say that a Fairfax County assistant principal did not report alleged assaults of students by a special education teacher.
washingtonpost.com
New owner of home where Matthew Perry died vows to keep his ‘Batman’ logo in pool: ‘Definitely staying’
The "Batman" logo in Matthew Perry's pool is safe.
nypost.com
Kiké Hernandez shades Noah Lyles after Dodgers’ World Series win: ‘Suck it’
Olympian Noah Lyles is making headlines yet again for a championship other than his own. 
nypost.com
Former five-star receiver Kyle Ford sets aside frustration to finish strong at USC
Kyle Ford wasn't promised anything other than an opportunity upon returning to the Trojans for a second stint this season after spending last year with UCLA.
latimes.com
It went just like you’d expect – Harris supporters try their hardest to give Donald Trump compliments
We asked a group of Harris voters at a rally in Arizona to give Donald Trump a compliment.
nypost.com
‘Strong, intelligent’ Republican women torch Kamala supporter Mark Cuban for dismissive comments on ‘The View’
Hell hath no fury like a strong, intelligent GOP woman scorned.
nypost.com
Spain searches for bodies after unprecedented flooding claims at least 158 lives
After flash floods in Spain left at least 158 people dead, residents salvaged what they could from their homes and crews searched for bodies in buildings and stranded cars.
foxnews.com
Man berates Jewish customer at kosher cafe in NYC: ‘Hitler was onto something’
A man berated a Jewish customer enjoying breakfast with his infant inside a kosher cafe in Brooklyn, where he described all Jewish people as "evil," and claimed Adolf Hitler "was onto something."
nypost.com
NASA reconnects with interstellar Voyager 1 spacecraft using technology not used in decades
NASA reconnected with Voyager 1, which is located nearly 15 billion miles away from Earth, after a brief pause that triggered the spacecraft's fault protection system.
foxnews.com
‘Agatha All Along’ Episode 9 Recap: “Maiden Mother Crone”
Agatha All Along injected humor, unpredictability, and emotional heft into the Marvel Television Universe.
nypost.com
Underdog Fantasy Promo Code NYPNEWS: Claim your $1K bonus for Jets-Texans on ‘Thursday Night Football’
Use the Underdog Fantasy promo code NYPNEWS for up to $1,000 in bonus cash from a 50% deposit match offer ahead of "Thursday Night Football."
nypost.com
Paint the town blue: L.A. bathes landmarks in light toasting Dodgers victory
L.A. Memorial Coliseum has lit its torch and will also light its peristyle blue Thursday evening. It is one of several landmarks in Los Angeles to pay tribute to the Dodgers, who won their eighth World Series Championship after beating the New York Yankees in five games.
latimes.com
Hall of Fame won't get Freddie Freeman's grand slam ball, but Dodgers donate World Series memorabilia
The Dodgers donate memorabilia from their World Series win over the Yankees to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, including Freddie Freeman's cleats.
latimes.com
Joy Behar ‘not reprimanded’ for exposing Sarah Haines’ ‘lesbian relationship’ on ‘The View’: source
“Sara freely shared the story with the studio audience last week, although it was off camera,” a source told Page Six following Wednesday’s episode of “The View.”
nypost.com
Kathy Hilton explains why she didn’t ‘get in the middle’ of Kyle Richards, Dorit Kemsley feud
The "RHOBH" Season 14 trailer showed Richards and Kemsley –– who were previously best friends –– getting into several heated arguments
nypost.com
Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber live ‘The Simple Life’ as Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie for Halloween
The "Kardashians" star and her pal honored the BFFs by dressing up in the outfits from their famous reality TV poster.
nypost.com
Harris campaign says women around Trump are weak, dumb | Reporter Replay
Two days after President Biden called former President Donald Trump’s supporters “garbage,” a top campaign surrogate for Vice President Kamala Harris implied women around the Republican presidential nominee were weak and dumb — though he later walked back his statement after it sparked widespread fury.
nypost.com
Here's the weather expected for Halloween night
Weather in the Northeast will be warmer than usual during Halloween, a change from what's usually a cold night for families who will be out trick-or-treating. CBS News' Lana Zak breaks down what's expected.
cbsnews.com
Agatha All Along Was Marvel’s Best Show in Years. Then It Had to End Like That.
Let characters die already.
slate.com
Rapper Young Thug accepts plea deal in Georgia RICO case
Rapper Young Thug accepts plea deal in Georgia RICO case.
abcnews.go.com
More Than a Month Later, Communities Struggle to Rebuild After Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Despite local efforts for recovery, some residents feel frustrated by delays in federal aid.
time.com
Adams touts NYPD drone successes against subway surfing scourge — despite 6 deaths this year
Heart-stopping drone footage released by the NYPD Thursday shows subway surfers jumping for joy atop trains — as Mayor Eric Adams insisted the cameras in the sky saved 114 daredevils’ lives this year, despite a tragic six fatalities. The previously unannounced aerial drone program has performed some 900 flights since last year to spot and...
nypost.com
Jill Zarin’s daughter Ally Shapiro and Jordan Bilfeld call off engagement two months after proposal
The “Real Housewives of New York City” alum’s daughter had fans wondering about her relationship after she posted videos of her without her engagement ring.
nypost.com
Halloween 2024: Jennifer Garner, Demi Moore, Kelly Clarkson's wild transformations
Jennifer Garner, Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez and more channeled nostalgic movie characters, while other A-listers stepped out in original and unique costumes for Halloween.
foxnews.com
‘Thursday Night Football’ Tonight: Start Time, Where To Watch The Jets-Texans ‘TNF’ Game Live Online For Free
Can the Jets snap their five-game losing streak?
1 h
nypost.com
Pro-Trump super PAC hits Harris with blistering closing ad in crucial swing states: 'Dangerous'
Preserve America PAC is hitting VP Kamala Harris with a final ad in battleground states calling the Biden-Harris agenda "weak," "reckless" and "dangerous."
1 h
foxnews.com
Migrants are surging into US ahead of the election in case Trump wins: ‘Free lunch is most likely coming to an end’
Not everyone is betting on Trump closing down the borders. "They don't want to wait in line behind the millions that will follow if Kamala wins."
1 h
nypost.com
Golfing prodigy Jeffrey Guan blinded in left eye after freak pro-am accident
A month after the incident, he has shared that he's permanently lost sight in his left eye.
1 h
nypost.com
Trump sues CBS News for $10 billion alleging 'deceptive doctoring' of Harris' '60 Minutes' interview
EXCLUSIVE: Former President Trump is suing CBS News for $10 billion in damages over alleged “deceptive conduct" regarding its interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
1 h
foxnews.com
Fashion models pushed to the side as AI glam bots take over: ‘It’s about faster content creation’
Meet the faces of the future.
1 h
nypost.com
NYS trooper shot during traffic stop had pulled over to help, officials say — as gunman still on the loose
Trooper Thomas Mascia — who was wounded on the Southern State Parkway last night — “looked well” after his operation at Nassau University Medical Center, county executive Bruce Blakeman.
1 h
nypost.com
Jets vs. Texans player props: NFL ‘Thursday Night Football’ picks, predictions, odds
The Texans are hurting for pass-catching options. Big time. 
1 h
nypost.com
I saw a show at the Knockdown Center. It was like a house party but better
The Queens venue is your hometown indie venue on steroids.
1 h
nypost.com
JD Vance says Doug Emhoff domestic violence allegations should be heavily investigated: ‘Doesn’t stop with one person’
Allegations of second gentleman Doug Emhoff slapping a former flame should be heavily investigated, Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance says.
1 h
nypost.com