On November 8, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Senate Republicans to redirect federal funds currently allocated to health insurance companies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) directly to individuals. In a post on social media, Trump claimed that this approach would empower people to purchase their own healthcare and potentially save money. He criticized the ACA, referring to it as "the worst Healthcare anywhere in the World," and suggested that the substantial funding currently going to insurance companies should instead be sent directly to the American populace.

Trump stated, "I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE, and have money left over." This proposal reflects a broader trend in political discourse that emphasizes individual financial agency over collective systems of support.

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) expressed support for Trump's proposal, suggesting the creation of Health Savings Account-style accounts for Americans to receive the redirected funds. He stated, "We must stop taxpayer money from going to insurance companies and instead give it directly to Americans in HSA-style accounts and let them buy the health care they want. This will increase competition & drive down costs."

The proposal comes as the U.S. Senate prepares to reconvene amid the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which has been ongoing since October 1. Lawmakers are divided on how to proceed, with Democrats advocating for a funding bill that includes healthcare subsidies for 24 million Americans, set to expire at the end of the year. Republicans, however, insist that Congress must first pass a funding bill without additional conditions before addressing other issues.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has claimed that Democrats are attempting to compel American taxpayers to finance healthcare for undocumented immigrants, contributing to the ongoing impasse. Conversely, Democrats argue that Republicans are responsible for the shutdown due to their opposition to ACA subsidies, viewing healthcare as a pivotal issue for the upcoming midterm elections. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) noted that the public's recognition of the Democrats' efforts to safeguard healthcare for Americans played a role in recent electoral successes.