FOLLOW US

President Donald Trump ignited a political war after announcing his decision to immediately stop key Obamacare payments to health insurers.

In a statement on Thursday night, the White House said the government cannot lawfully make the cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments for health insurers under Obamacare.

The decision was based on the guidance of the Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services.

In a press release, HHS Acting Secretary Eric Hargan explained that the Congress did not appropriate funding for CSR payments. However, the Obama administration circumvented the appropriations process and unlawfully used unappropriated funding for CSR payments.

Hargan emphasized, “It has been clear for many years that Obamacare is bad policy.  It is also bad law. Congress has not appropriated money for CSRs, and we will discontinue these payments immediately.”

A pointless sabotage on working families

Following the announcement, Democratic Leaders immediately blasted Pres. Trump’s action.

In a joint statement, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the move “spiteful.” They emphasized that cutting CSR payments will increase health premiums for Americans by 20% or more.

According to them, “Sadly, instead of working to lower health costs for Americans, it seems President Trump will singlehandedly hike Americans’ health premiums. It is a spiteful act of vast, pointless sabotage leveled at working families and the middle class in every corner of America.”

Additionally, the Democratic leaders said Trump will try to blame the premium hikes on Obamacare. However, it “will fall on his back” and “will pay the price for it.”

Furthermore, Pelosi and Schumer said, “President Trump has apparently decided to punish the American people for his inability to improve our health care system. Trumpcare collapsed because Americans overwhelmingly recognized the cruelty and higher costs it meant for them and their loved ones.

Trump urges Democrats to negotiate to fix Obamacare

Today, Trump reiterated his position that Obamacare is collapsing in message to Democrats posted on Twitter. He invited them to the negotiating table to fix the health care system.

The President tweeted:

On the other hand, Schumer said Democrats will try to include the CSR payments in upcoming budget deal in December.

During a press conference, the senator said, Democrats are going to work very hard to get these cost-sharing payments restored, but remember there are a whole lot of Republicans who want to get them restored, too."