Apr 23, 2017

How Trump is reframing the battle over insurer payments

President Trump gave a strong signal this morning that he'll use the Democrats' push for Affordable Care Act insurer payments as proof that the law is falling apart. Here's what he tweeted:

Reality check: The payments are actually to reimburse health insurers for the subsidies they're required to provide to low-income customers. They'd have to give the subsidies whether they're paid back or not. The issue is whether Congress will provide the money.

Between the lines: It's not clear whether this is how Trump actually sees the fight or whether he's just framing it that way, but regardless, it's not a good sign for insurers who want the payments so they can stay in the ACA marketplaces.

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