New York: US President Donald Trump is on a mission to replace his predecessor's signature healthcare policy, but he is finding being in government not as easy as making grand promises on the campaign trail.
"Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated," he reportedly told a meeting of the National Governors Association on Monday.
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'Nobody knew healthcare could be so complicated'
US President Donald Trump says his administration has come up with an alternative to Obamacare, but contends, "it's an unbelievably complex subject, nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated".
"I have to tell you, it's an unbelievably complex subject," Trump said.
Trump is seeking support from the nation's governors for changes to Obamacare, which extended health insurance to 20 million Americans.
The scheme has been popular in many states, even those controlled by Republicans. But it has also been criticised for its steep premium increases.
The Pew Research Centre last week indicated Americans have warmed to the scheme, with 54 per cent now approving of the health care law passed seven years ago by Barack Obama and Congress, while 43 per cent disapprove. It is the first time the law has attracted majority approval.
"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 said at a later meeting with insurers at the White House.
The President needs insurers to participate in the individual insurance market to keep up competition and keep costs in check.
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.
He told insurers he was directing Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price to work with them "to ensure a smooth transition to the new plan".
The gatherings took place before Trump is to deliver a major policy speech to the US Congress.
The speech on Tuesday evening, US time, 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, but have not released details yet.
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, a Republican, said on Monday that many conversations during the meeting of the National Governors Association centred on Medicaid, the massive program for the poor, and on how to ensure those receiving coverage could maintain it.
Trump said on Monday that he wanted to bring Democrats on board with the plan as well.
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, told CNN 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. This is complex. You cannot take healthcare away from 18 million people. What are they going to do?" he said.
Reuters
- with Lia Timson
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