January 15, 2026

Trump Unveils Healthcare Plan Aimed at Reducing Costs for Americans   Summary: Trump’s Healthcare Plan to Lower Costs and Increase Transparency President Donald Trump unveiled a comprehensive healthcare proposal aimed at lowering prescription drug prices and insurance premiums. The plan focuses on sending healthcare subsidy money directly to consumers instead of insurance companies. It proposes codifying the “Most-Favored-Nation” drug pricing policy to match U.S. drug prices with the lowest prices paid globally. Prescription drug costs could be reduced by up to 80–90% under international price benchmarking. The plan expands access to safe, verified over-the-counter medications to reduce healthcare expenses and doctor visits. Insurance premiums would be lowered by ending excess subsidies and kickbacks to insurers, PBMs, and brokerage middlemen. Funding the Cost Sharing Reduction program could cut Obamacare plan premiums by 10–15%, according to the CBO. A new “Plain English Insurance” standard would require clear, consumer-friendly disclosures from insurers. Insurance companies must publish claim denial rates, profit margins, and average care wait times. Hospitals and insurers accepting Medicare or Medicaid would be required to publicly display all prices and fees. The plan emphasizes price transparency to prevent surprise medical bills and increase competition. President Trump is urging Congress to pass the plan quickly to provide immediate financial relief to Americans. Trump Announces Healthcare Plan Designed to Lower Costs Nationwide   President Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping healthcare proposal designed to lower prescription drug prices, reduce health insurance premiums, and expand price transparency across the U.S. healthcare system. The plan, which Trump is urging Congress to pass, aims to shift financial power away from insurers and pharmaceutical middlemen and place it directly into the hands of American consumers. Dubbed “The Great Healthcare Plan,” the proposal builds on policies from Trump’s first term while introducing new measures intended to increase competition, reduce wasteful spending, and hold insurance companies accountable. Direct Payments to Consumers, Not Insurers A central pillar of the plan is redirecting federal healthcare subsidies away from insurance companies and instead sending money directly to eligible Americans. Trump argues this approach would give individuals greater control over their healthcare decisions while reducing premium costs. Under the proposal, consumers would receive funds to purchase health insurance plans that best meet their needs, rather than relying on insurer-driven options tied to government subsidies. Lower Prescription Drug Prices Through Global Benchmarking The plan calls on Congress to codify Trump’s Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) drug pricing framework. This policy would require the United States to pay no more for prescription drugs than the lowest price paid by other developed nations. According to Trump, this approach could reduce the cost of certain medications by as much as 80–90%, reversing decades in which Americans paid the highest drug prices globally. Existing voluntary pricing agreements negotiated with the Department of Health and Human Services would remain in effect. The proposal also expands access to verified, safe pharmaceutical drugs for over-the-counter purchase, reducing the need for doctor visits and increasing consumer choice. Reducing Insurance Premiums and Government Waste To further lower premiums, the plan proposes ending what Trump describes as excessive government payments to insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and brokerage middlemen. These savings would be redirected to consumers. The proposal also fully funds the Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) program, a long-standing component of the Affordable Care Act. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this measure alone could reduce premiums on popular marketplace plans by 10–15% while saving taxpayers an estimated $36 billion. Holding Insurance Companies Accountable The Great Healthcare Plan introduces a new “Plain English Insurance” standard requiring insurers to clearly disclose coverage details, pricing comparisons, and exclusions on their websites using simple, consumer-friendly language. Insurance companies would also be required to publish: The percentage of revenue spent on claims versus administrative costs and profits Claim denial rates and appeal outcomes Average wait times for routine care These disclosures aim to give consumers greater visibility into how insurers operate and how their premiums are used. Maximum Price Transparency Across Healthcare To eliminate surprise medical billing, the plan mandates that any hospital, healthcare provider, or insurer accepting Medicare or Medicaid must prominently display all prices and fees at their place of business. Trump argues that transparent pricing would allow patients to compare costs, shop for better care, and drive competition—ultimately lowering healthcare prices nationwide. Call to Congress President Trump has called on Congress to pass the framework without delay, emphasizing the need for immediate relief for Americans struggling with rising healthcare costs. He framed the proposal as a direct challenge to what he calls the failures of the Affordable Care Act, which he claims benefited insurers more than patients. Overview of Key Goals The Healthcare Plan aims to: Lower prescription drug prices through international price matching Reduce insurance premiums by redirecting subsidies to consumers Increase transparency in insurance and healthcare pricing Limit profiteering by insurers, PBMs, and corporate middlemen Restore consumer choice and control in healthcare decisions The proposal is expected to spark significant debate in Congress as lawmakers consider its potential economic and policy implications. This is a developing story and will be updated as further details emerge. References: https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/01/president-trump-unveils-the-great-healthcare-plan-to-lower-costs-and-deliver-money-directly-to-the-people/ https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/15/politics/trump-health-care-plan https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-15/trump-unveils-healthcare-framework-asks-congress-to-codify-it