Has Trump Unveiled a 'Great Healthcare Plan' to Cut Costs?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Direct funding to individuals for healthcare purchases.
- Significant reductions in prescription drug prices.
- Elimination of government payouts to insurance companies.
- Focus on transparency and accountability in healthcare.
- Potential premium reductions of 10-15%.
Washington, Jan 15 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump, on Thursday, introduced what he has termed the “Great Healthcare Plan”, a comprehensive initiative designed to significantly decrease prescription drug costs, reduce insurance premiums, and enhance transparency among insurers and healthcare providers. This approach aims to allocate government funds directly to individuals instead of corporations.
“I am excited to reveal my strategy to make healthcare more affordable for all Americans. We are implementing measures that have never been attempted before, and we’re calling it The Great Healthcare Plan,” Trump stated.
He characterized the plan as a transition from corporate interests to prioritizing patients.
“Rather than catering to the demands of large corporations and special interests, our initiative finally prioritizes you and ensures more money stays in your pocket,” Trump emphasized.
According to the proposal, the US government would directly fund individuals to facilitate their healthcare purchases.
“The government will disburse funds directly to you. You will receive the money and utilize it to acquire your own healthcare... the massive insurance companies will face losses, while the citizens of our nation will benefit,” Trump explained.
A key aspect of this proposal focuses on prescription drug pricing.
Trump indicated that the initiative would secure discounts through a most-favored-nation pricing structure.
“This will enable drug prices to decrease by 80 percent, or even 90 percent in certain cases,” the President noted, adding that prices for numerous medications could be “reduced by 300, 400, or even 500 percent starting this month at Trumprx.gov.”
He remarked that this policy would reverse years of escalating costs in the United States.
“Instead of Americans facing the highest drug prices globally, which has been the case for decades, we will now enjoy the lowest prices found in any other country,” Trump further stated.
The President also criticized the Affordable Care Act, referring to it as “Obamacare was designed to enrich insurance companies. I label it the UNAFFORDABLE Care Act.”
He asserted that his plan would “terminate this blatant scam and allocate additional funds directly into your healthcare savings account.”
To lower premiums, Trump announced that the plan would eliminate “government payouts to large insurance firms,” eradicate “substantial kickbacks to insurance brokers and corporate intermediaries,” and fully finance the Cost Sharing Reduction program, which he claimed would reduce premiums on popular plans by “an average of 10 to 15 percent.”
The plan also underscores the importance of accountability and transparency, as the President noted.
“As the saying goes, sunlight is the best disinfectant,” Trump stated, adding that insurers would need to publish rate and coverage comparisons “in very plain English,” disclose profits, and provide information on claim denials and appeals.
Hospitals and insurers participating in Medicare or Medicaid would be required to prominently display prices.
“You will never be caught off guard, and you can seamlessly shop for better deals or superior care,” Trump said.
A fact sheet released alongside the announcement indicated that Trump has urged the US Congress to swiftly enact the plan, describing it as a thorough framework aimed at reducing drug prices, cutting premiums, holding insurers accountable, and maximizing price transparency.