ObamaCare vs TrumpCare

Kate Sinz, Reporter

Through President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, one of his promises was the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), ObamaCare. But what does that really mean?

According to ObamaCareFacts.com, the ACA was signed into law on March 23, 2010 and was upheld by the Supreme Court June 28, 2012. The goal was to cut down on U.S. healthcare spending while allowing all Americans access to affordable, quality health insurance.

According to Medicaid.gov, “The affordable care act provides Americans with better health security by putting in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that will: expand coverage, hold insurance companies accountable, lower health-care costs, guarantee more choice, and enhance the quality of care for all Americans.”

However, many Americans believe that the ACA is not affordable. The Washington Post explained that many people who signed up for the health policies under ObamaCare face higher premiums, fewer doctors, and skimpier coverage. Now that President-elect Trump is heading to office, those people and others are wondering what will happen with the Affordable Care Act.

ObamaCareFacts.com stated that under a full repeal by Trump, over 20 million people are in danger of losing coverage and cost assistance under the ACA’s provisions in 2017.

Donald Trump said, “We aren’t going to let them die on the streets… The government’s going to pay for it.”

Trump later stated, “No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.”

President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump shake hands following their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump shake hands following their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

ObamaCareFacts.com explained the likely changes to expect from “TrumpCare.” Trump stated that he would keep the provision about children staying on their parent’s plan until the age of 26, and he also expressed a desire to go after drug companies. The fee for not having coverage will very likely be eliminated, which was one of the main defective points of the ACA for many people. Insurers will almost certainly be able to sell across state lines, and at the moment, premium costs can’t be deducted; however, Trump said he would allow taxpayers to deduct health insurance premium costs on their tax returns.

Other revisions were also named to the ACA. According to reuters.com, “Republicans have challenged President Barack Obama’s signature Affordable Care Act since it was enacted and have voted repeatedly to repeal it.”

It is yet to be seen the changes that will be made.