Will The new administration attempt to roll back the Trump Attempt to roll back the Affordable Care Act? 

The Affordable Care Act is not a retirement benefit program, but it does provide an important coverage bridge to Medicare for older adults who have not yet reached age 65 and don’t have employer-sponsored insurance. This year, 24% of Americans enrolled in a marketplace plan were aged 55-64, making it the largest single age category, according to government data. 

During the first Trump presidency, Republicans numerous votes attempting to repeal the ACA.  Another attempted repeal is possible but politically risky: The ACA currently insures more than 45 million Americans and has gained popularity with the public over the years. Sixty-two percent of all adults had a favorable view of the law in April this year, compared with just 38% in April 2016 according to multiple polling sources. 

Short of full repeal, the new administration and Congress could roll back the ACA’s expansion of Medicaid for low-income people. And it could increase premium costs for millions of people by doing absolutely nothing. Temporary premium subsidies were added to the program as a coronavirus pandemic relief measure under the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and extended through the end of 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act.  

These subsidies have reduced the cost of coverage substantially and boosted enrollment. If the subsidies are not renewed, premiums would double or more for people with policies in 12 states who enrolled through the federal exchange and perhaps making changes to the ACA more palatable to political constituencies.  Up Next?  Will the Department of Labor eliminate the Fiduciary Rule?