Trump Announces Bold Plan to Curb Healthcare Costs
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 25: U.S. President Donald Trump, joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (L) and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (R), signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House on February 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump signed an executive order on price transparency requirements for the health care industry. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
By Brian Freeman | Sunday, 23 November 2025 07:16 PM EST
President Donald Trump is expected to unveil a new initiative aimed at addressing rising healthcare costs, urging Congress to send legislation to his desk that would prevent premium increases under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to two White House officials cited by MS Now on Sunday. The announcement of a general framework is anticipated to occur at the White House as early as Monday and will include remarks from Trump and Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, according to both officials.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also disclosed in an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that there would be an announcement this week regarding tackling healthcare costs. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., were expected to be informed of the president’s plan, one of the White House officials told MS Now.
The proposed legislation, termed the “Healthcare Price Cuts Act,” would seek to end what one official referred to as “surprise premium hikes” generated by the ACA. It would also eliminate “zero-premium” subsidies currently offered under the ACA. This would be intended to stop “ghost beneficiaries,” a GOP concern about alleged fraudulent policy recipients, by requiring a small minimum payment as a way to verify eligibility to receive benefits, according to MS Now. The plan also contains a deposit program that would incentivize lower-premium options on the ACA exchange. For individuals who downgrade coverage, the difference in costs would be deposited into a “Health Savings Account” funded with taxpayer dollars.
Trump’s expected announcement comes as ACA subsidies are set to expire at year’s end, which would result in massive cost spikes for nearly 22 million Americans. Last week, a bipartisan proposal from House members was introduced for a two-year extension of Obamacare subsidies. Senate Republicans have agreed to hold a mid-December vote on extending the subsidies, but there’s no guarantee it will pass in either chamber.
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
