More than 2 million Ohioans could lose their affordable healthcare and/or lose critical services if Donald Trump succeeds in repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Trump has repeatedly attacked the ACA but has yet to present a concrete replacement plan.
During this week’s debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump admitted to having only “concepts” for a future healthcare system, putting millions at risk.
ABC moderator Linsey Davis asked: “So just a yes or no, you still do not have a plan?”
Trump responded: “I have concepts of a plan. I’m not president right now.”
He continued by saying he hasn’t formed a real plan: “But if we come up with something I would only change it if we come up with something better and less expensive. And there are concepts and options we have to do that. And you’ll be hearing about it in the not-too-distant future.”
After the debate, Trump’s campaign didn’t offer any additional specifics:
Q: When are we going to be hearing about Trump's 'concept of a plan' on health care?
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) September 11, 2024
Trump press secretary: In the not too distant future
Q: Do you have a date?
Trump press secretary: No pic.twitter.com/13reUrAeTF
Over 295,000 Ohioans are enrolled through the ACA marketplace, while over 808,000 rely on Medicaid expansion coverage available due to the ACA. These numbers show the significant impact the ACA has had on Ohio, providing critical protections for over 2 million residents with pre-existing conditions.
Should Trump succeed in repealing the ACA, Ohioans with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and those living in rural communities could face devastating consequences. Prior to the ACA, insurers could deny coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions, a reality Republicans are eager to return to.
An additional 2.6 million Ohio residents with Medicaid, including children, could lose critical services, or could even lose coverage altogether. Slashing federal funding for Medicaid would force states to make Medicaid eligibility changes that would make it harder to qualify for and enroll in Medicaid coverage. States would also likely consider capping or limiting enrollment, cut critical services, and cut payments rates, making it harder for people with Medicaid to access care.
Trump’s empty promises of “better, cheaper” healthcare are nothing new. Despite having years to propose a solid replacement, he has consistently failed to deliver any meaningful plan. His repeated efforts to repeal the ACA—starting in 2017 when Congress blocked his attempts—show a persistent disregard for the millions who rely on it. Further repeal attempts would strip protections and cause higher premiums, catastrophic out-of-pocket costs, and reduced access to preventive services like cancer screenings.
Vice President Kamala Harris, on the other hand, has vowed to protect and expand the ACA. She highlights how repealing the law would disproportionately hurt vulnerable groups, including people of color, older adults, and the LGBTQ community. Harris believes healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and her administration would focus on strengthening the ACA to ensure more Ohioans have access to affordable, quality healthcare.
As Republicans continue to push for cuts that would slash Medicaid and ACA funding, millions stand to lose their insurance and critical care. This ideological war on healthcare, championed by Trump and the GOP, threatens Ohioans’ health and financial security.
