Trump remains unclear on Affordable Care Act replacement plan

Trump hints at a new health care plan while the Affordable Care Act's popularity continues to rise.

Former President Donald Trump has admitted he still lacks a definitive plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), despite his long-standing pledge to repeal it. 

During a recent debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump mentioned having “concepts of a plan” but did not provide specific details. 

“We’re looking at different plans. If we can come up with a plan that’s going to cost our people, our population, less money and be better health care than Obamacare, then I would absolutely do it,” Trump stated. “You’ll be hearing about it in the not too distant future.”

Trump's earlier attempt to dismantle the ACA in 2017 failed, yet he continues to entertain the idea, even as the ACA gains popularity. Polls show support for the ACA has increased from 43% in 2016 to 62% in April. 

Trump's comments on Tuesday attempted to balance criticism of the ACA with claims of having improved it during his presidency. “I had a choice to make. Do I save it and make it as good as it can be, or do I let it rot? And I saved it,” Trump said.

During his tenure, Trump's administration reduced open enrollment periods, decreased funding for navigators, and allowed employers with moral objections to contraceptive coverage to opt out. In contrast, Harris emphasized the need to expand the ACA rather than replace it, proposing to extend current drug pricing reforms to more Americans.

Trump’s campaign does not currently include plans to repeal the ACA, focusing instead on other health policy areas, such as drug pricing and penalties for drug dealers.