Will Donald Trump Extend the Obamacare Subsidies?
26th Nov. 2025
After a lot of confusion and rumors, on 25th November 2025 President Donald Trump finally, put a full stop to speculation. Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he doesn’t want to extend the Obamacare subsidies (Affordable Care Act). But, he might consider it if Congress gets time to create some changes that he favors. “I’d rather not. Somebody said I want to extend them for two years. I don’t want to extend them for two years. I’d rather not extend them at all,” Trump told reporters.
Further, speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump suggested that “Some kind of an extension may be necessary to get something else done, because the Unaffordable Care Act has been a disaster.” The changes he favors include a move to send federal money directly to individuals through Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). He said, “Don’t give any money to the insurance companies. Give it to the people directly, let them go out, buy their own health care plan.”
Debate Intensifies as the Proposal Shelved
The subsidies, which were boosted during the pandemic, are going to end this year. This climax also triggers the sharp cost increase for millions of enrollees. But, according to the President, this short delay might help lawmakers to finalize the alternative. The debate within the Republican Party got more heated, as the deadline approached. But the proposal was shelved which was never formally announced. The White House refrained from presenting a comprehensive healthcare plan, despite the fact that approximately 22 million enrollees may encounter increased premiums once the enhanced subsidies ends.
Democrats, meanwhile, withheld support for government funding to force negotiations on extending the subsidies. However, Republicans refused to negotiate on continuing the ACA support, leaving the issue unresolved. Though, Trump stands with his preferred suggestion, but he also blamed democrats and said, “They are negotiating with me.” He further stated, “I can’t tell you who, but we have a lot of Democrats who want this plan to happen.”
Even though Republicans control Congress and the White House, a significant health care overhaul would still require bipartisan support to reach the Senate’s 60-vote threshold. Trump reaffirmed his intention to allocate federal funds directly to individuals instead of insurers.
Democrats originally expanded the subsidies in 2021 under President Joe Biden, then extended them in 2022, and in 2025, they are scheduled to expire. According to the Congressional Budget Office, a long-term renewal would cost $350 billion over a decade. And, when these subsidies expire, it would directly revert to its original level of 2010.
Web Resources on the Obamacare Subsidies
1. Reuters.com: Trump says he would prefer not to extend Obamacare subsidies
2. Politico.com: Trump opens the door to Obamacare subsidy extension
3. Washingtontimes.com: More Obamacare subsidies ‘may be necessary to get something else done’