Trump supports Senate plan for $1,500 health care payments to Americans
A Senate bill backed by President Trump promises to put hard cash directly into the hands of Americans struggling with health care costs.
President Trump has thrown his weight behind a Senate Republican proposal to deposit up to $1,500 into health savings accounts for eligible Americans enrolled in certain Affordable Care Act plans, the New York Post reported.
Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Tuesday night, made his stance crystal clear. “I like the concept. I don’t want to give the insurance companies any money,” he said, slicing through years of bloated Obamacare policies that have padded corporate pockets.
Senate Bill Targets Obamacare Enrollees
The legislation, spearheaded by Sens. Mike Crapo of Idaho and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, offers $1,000 to ACA enrollees aged 18 to 49 and $1,500 to those between 50 and 64. To qualify, household income must fall below 700% of the poverty line—think $109,550 for a single person or $225,050 for a family of four.
Only those on bronze or catastrophic plans, which cover about a third of Obamacare users, can claim the funds. High-deductible plans like these often leave families exposed, and this bill aims to ease that sting without rewarding pricier silver, gold, or platinum enrollees.
Employer-provided insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid recipients are out of luck under this plan. Even some legal immigrants might snag a check, but the focus stays narrow, avoiding a free-for-all that could balloon costs.
Redirecting Funds from Insurance Giants
Trump didn’t mince words about his disdain for the current system, telling reporters, “They’ve been ripping off the public for years. Obamacare is a scam to make the insurance companies rich.” His point lands hard when you consider the billions funneled to insurers while 24 million Americans grapple with soaring premiums.
The bill allocates up to $10 billion for these direct payments, with a firm line drawn against funding divisive procedures like abortions or gender reassignment treatments. This keeps the focus on core health needs, sidestepping cultural flashpoints that often derail practical reform.
Sen. Cassidy echoed Trump’s frustration with insurers, telling The Post, “Republicans want real solutions that actually make health care affordable and put money in families’ pockets.” His words cut through the fog of endless subsidy debates, pointing to a path that empowers patients over profiteers.
Competing Visions in Senate Showdown
A procedural vote on the bill is set for Thursday, alongside a Democratic $83 billion push to extend all Obamacare subsidies for three years. That deal, struck to end last month’s government shutdown, shows just how entrenched the left remains in propping up a failing framework.
Democrats seem content to double down on a system that keeps costs high and choices limited for everyday families. Their approach feels like slapping a bandage on a broken leg, ignoring the deeper rot Trump and Senate Republicans aim to excise.
Meanwhile, Trump’s broader economic messaging, including tariff rebates and tax cuts, ties into this health care fight. At a Pennsylvania event on Monday, he told supporters, “We’re putting thousands of dollars in the pockets of hard-working Pennsylvanians,” linking health savings to a wider affordability agenda.
Affordability as a National Priority
With cumulative inflation from the prior administration hitting 20% and prices still up 3% year-over-year, Americans feel the squeeze daily. Trump’s team counters claims that tariffs fuel higher costs, highlighting record domestic business investments and trade deals that narrow import-export gaps.
White House spokesman Kush Desai drove the point home, stating, “The current system is not working to deliver health care at reasonable prices for everyday Americans.” His critique of Democratic plans as mere corporate handouts aligns with a growing call for policies that prioritize patients over boardrooms.
This Senate bill, backed by Trump’s unflinching resolve, offers a tangible step toward breaking the stranglehold of insurance giants. It’s a fight worth watching, as Thursday’s vote could signal whether Washington finally puts working families ahead of entrenched interests.



