Advertisement

Trump may be ready to row back on "Obamacare" repeal

Donald Trump has said he will consider leaving certain parts of the ‘Obamacare’ act i...
Newstalk
Newstalk

22.28 11 Nov 2016


Share this article


Trump may be ready to row back...

Trump may be ready to row back on "Obamacare" repeal

Newstalk
Newstalk

22.28 11 Nov 2016


Share this article


Donald Trump has said he will consider leaving certain parts of the ‘Obamacare’ act in place - despite his pledges to scrap the healthcare law during his campaign.

The President-elect appears to have softened his position on the Affordable Care Act - President Obama's signature piece of legislation - after the pair held a meeting in the Oval Office on Thursday.

In his first interview since the election, Trump told the Wall Street Journal he planned to move "quickly" on the president's health initiative, which he argued has become so unworkable and expensive that “you can’t use it.”

Advertisement

However, he also showed a willingness to preserve at least two provisions of the health care system and admitted he favours keeping the ban against denial of coverage by insurers based on patients' existing conditions.

He also said favours the provision allowing parents to provide years of additional coverage for children on their insurance policies.

"Either Obamacare will be amended, or repealed and replaced," the President-elect told the newspaper. 

"I told him I will look at his suggestions, and out of respect, I will do that."

Trump repeatedly attacked the law throughout the campaign as insurance premiums continued to rise in battleground states.

But, while Obamacare has faced unanimous Republican opposition since its enactment in 2010, the question of how Republican lawmakers could replace it has remained unanswered.

This evening’s interview is the first indication that Trump may be ready to row back on some of his election pledges - providing some semblance of relief to the thousands of protestors who have reacted with such shock to his historic victory over the past few days.

President Obama said he was "encouraged" by Mr Trump's willingness to work with his team during the transition of power and the Republican called the president a "very good man."

"I very much look forward to dealing with the President in the future," he said. 

Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence has been handed the task of preparing for the transition of power between the two men - and organising the move into the White House next January.

The New York Times reported sources as saying the billionaire wanted to use Mr Pence's Washington contacts to push the transition process along.


Share this article


Read more about

News

Most Popular