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 "We must work together to save Americans from Obamacare – you people
know that and everyone knows that - to create more competition and
to bring down prices substantially," Trump told insurers at a
meeting at the White House.
The gathering took place a day before Trump was to deliver a major
policy speech to the U.S. Congress. In attendance at the meeting
were insurers who participate in the Obamacare health insurance
exchanges as well as some that have pulled most or all of their
Obamacare individual insurance offerings.
The president needs insurers to participate in the individual
insurance market to keep up competition and keep costs in check.
The speech to Congress is a chance for Trump to elaborate on his
healthcare policy, one of his top domestic priorities. Trump and
Republicans have vowed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care
Act, former President Barack Obama's signature piece of domestic
policy, but have not released details yet.
Trump told the insurers that his changes would include expanded
healthcare savings accounts, which are tax-free savings accounts
typically used with high-deductible insurance plans, and the sale of
health plans across state lines. He also said that he wanted states
to have more flexibility but did not provide details.
Trump previously discussed these ideas on the campaign trail. It is
unclear how they would be implemented, or what changes he might make
to Medicaid expansion, another key component of the Obamacare law.
Trump told insurers, including UnitedHealth Group Inc, Anthem Inc
and Aetna Inc, that he was directing Health and Human Services
Secretary Tom Price to work with them "to ensure a smooth transition
to the new plan."
The administration recently granted the insurers one of their
biggest requests and proposed a rule that would tighten eligibility
verification for subsidized plans and allow them to seek unpaid
premiums.
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GOVERNORS MEETING
Trump is also seeking support from the nation's governors for
changes. The Obamacare law, which extended health insurance to 20
million Americans, has been popular in many states, even those
controlled by Republicans. But it has also been criticized for its
steep premium increases.
At a meeting with Trump and governors on Sunday, Price said he
expected to have a new healthcare plan in three to four weeks, to
which Trump responded he hoped to see a plan in two weeks, said
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe.
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval said many conversations during this
weekend's meeting of the National Governors Association centered on
Medicaid, the massive government health insurance program for the
poor, and how to ensure those who received coverage under the
Medicaid expansion could maintain coverage.
Trump said on Monday that he wanted to win support from Democrats
for the plan. McAuliffe, a Democrat, said it would be "disastrous"
for Republicans to repeal Obamacare without a proper replacement.
"The political rhetoric of the campaign has hit the reality of
governing," he said.
(Additional reporting by Richard Cowan in Washington; Editing by
Cynthia Osterman)
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