Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has healthcare “plans that you don't even know about,” he said last week on “The Dr. Oz Show.” “It's going to be great.”
Trump blasted the Affordable Care Act as a failure and said there should be more competition among health insurers. He also said poor people should be taken care of by Medicaid and should not be “dying in the streets.” At one point, he seemed to suggest that he supported expanding Medicaid, but the campaign later clarified that he does not.
The show's host, Dr. Mehmet Oz—who has been criticized by other doctors for promoting homeopathy and giving questionable health advice—asked Trump what he would put in place of the ACA after repealing it. He answered that the ACA is saddling consumers with unaffordable premiums and deductibles, arguing that Americans need cheaper, better plans. He did not provide further details.
Trump promised in an economic policy speech in Detroit last month that he would offer more information about his healthcare plan, which so far consists of a seven-point outline on his website that generally aligns with standard Republican proposals, such as allowing the sale of insurance plans across state lines.
Trump, who told Oz he is pro-life, said birth control pills should be available without a prescription, an idea that's out of sync with the Republican Party platform. Critics say making contraceptive products available over the counter would impose higher costs on women because OTC drugs aren't covered by most health plans.
