Trump Pushes Bold Plan to Redirect Obamacare Funds Amid Record-Long Shutdown
As the federal government shutdown drags into its 38th day, President Trump is ramping up pressure on Senate Republicans with a dramatic proposal: dismantle Obamacare and redirect billions in federal health care dollars straight to American citizens. While supporters call it a revolutionary approach, critics warn it could destabilize millions of Americans who rely on government services.
A Radical Proposal
On Saturday, Trump urged Senate Republicans to scrap Obamacare and give federal health care spending directly to the people. Posting on Truth Social, he wrote:
“I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the hundreds of billions of dollars currently being sent to money-sucking insurance companies to sustain the flawed Obamacare system be sent directly to the people, so they can purchase their own, far better healthcare—and still have money left over.”
He added:
“In other words, take from the big, bad insurance companies, give it to the people, and terminate, per dollar spent, the worst healthcare anywhere in the world: Obamacare.”
The comments came as the Senate convened on a rare Saturday session after a proposed deal to reopen federal agencies collapsed. The bill would have restored funding for at least three agencies while providing short-term money for the rest of the government.
Sticking Points and Political Deadlock
Obamacare insurance subsidies remain a major obstacle. Democrats have refused to approve a House-passed bill to reopen the government without addressing the rapidly rising subsidies scheduled for the coming year.
Last Friday, Senate Democrats rejected a Republican proposal to fully fund three agencies while offering only temporary funding for others. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested a compromise: reopen the government while extending existing health care subsidies for one year. Senate Republicans refused, insisting that negotiations on subsidies occur only after the government reopens.
In addition, Trump called for ending the Senate filibuster—the 60-vote threshold that currently blocks legislation, including bills to fund and reopen the government. Some Senate Republicans are pushing back, wary of potential political retaliation if Democrats regain control in future sessions.
Real-World Consequences
Meanwhile, the shutdown’s effects are tangible for millions of Americans. Airport operations face disruptions, with flight cancellations and delays due to unpaid air traffic controllers. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits remain entangled in court after a Supreme Court pause issued by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily allowed the administration to withhold payments.
Conclusion
With the shutdown extending past a month, the standoff over Obamacare, subsidies, and federal funding intensifies. President Trump’s push to end Obamacare and redistribute billions directly to citizens underscores the high-stakes debate shaping U.S. policy. Meanwhile, millions wait anxiously as essential government services remain stalled, highlighting the tangible cost of the political deadlock.