President Trump floated working with Democrats on an alternative to ObamaCare on Wednesday, saying the two parties could come up with a “much better” option.
“We have to fix health care because ObamaCare is a disaster,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One en route to South Korea.
“When you see the increases in ObamaCare, it never worked. It never will work, and we can do something with the Democrats much better than ObamaCare,” he continued. “Less money and better health care. And I think that’s something that could come out of this with the Democrats. We work with the Democrats.”
The president went on to bemoan increased premiums under the health care plan, also known as the Affordable Care Act, saying insurance companies “are making a fortune.”
“I think it’s a great time for the Republicans and Democrats to get together and make something that will work, and let the insurance companies make money, they’re entitled to that, but not the kind of money that they’re making,” Trump said.
The president’s comments come as Republicans grapple with how to handle expiring enhanced ObamaCare subsidies amid the government shutdown. Republicans have long criticized the law and the need for subsidies, but so far have not put forth a plan to lower premiums with the subsidies set to expire.
Democrats maintain that they will not vote for any spending bill unless Republicans agree to an extension of the enhanced tax credits that help tens of millions of Americans purchase cheaper health plans.
