Pence aide says Trump will submit a healthcare plan to Congress ‘this year’

Former White House aide Marc Short said Wednesday that President Trump plans to submit a healthcare plan to Congress “this year.”

“The president will be putting forward plans this year that we hope to introduce into Congress,” Short, who now serves as Vice President Pence’s chief of staff, said on CNN’s “The Situation Room.”

“What you will see as far as Republican plans that will be offered will provide again insurance across state lines, will be able to look to reduce premiums and provide more freedom, and we’re happy to have the debate with Democrats as they continue to march toward socialized medicine.” 

Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, says regarding health care, President Trump will be “putting forward plans this year that we hope to introduce into Congress” https://t.co/RvaXvYlxOQ pic.twitter.com/Wkv5WLXIcM

— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) March 27, 2019 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday argued in a brief memo that the entire ObamaCare law should be invalidated. DOJ had previously held that the law’s protections for those with pre-existing conditions were unconstitutional.

The decision marked an escalation in the Trump administration’s legal fight against former President Obama’s signature health care law.{mosads}

Following the decision, Trump on Wednesday called the Affordable Care Act a “disaster,” saying insurance premiums are “too high” and the law is “far too expensive for the people, not only for the country.” 

Trump on Tuesday said Republicans would be “the party of great health care.”

“I understand health care now, especially very well. A lot of people don’t understand it, we are going to be, the Republicans, the party of great health care,” Trump said, repeating a pledge he made on Tuesday. “The Democrats have, they’ve let you down, they came up with Obamacare, it’s terrible.”

Republicans have so far failed to pass a new healthcare plan, despite campaigning on the promise to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

Any new proposal would likely face stiff opposition in the Democratic-controlled House.