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Trump unveils “Great Healthcare Plan” Focused on Direct Payments and Drug Pricing
President Donald Trump on Thursday, January 15, 2026, detailed his plan to address healthcare affordability, dubbed the “Great Healthcare Plan.” The proposal centers around providing direct financial assistance to individuals to purchase insurance, bolstering cost-sharing reduction programs within the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces, and tackling prescription drug costs.
key Components of the Plan
The “Great Healthcare Plan” outlines several key initiatives:
- Direct Payments to Enrollees: The plan proposes sending funds directly to individuals enrolled in ACA plans to help cover premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.
- ACA Cost-Sharing Reduction funding: it aims to reinstate and fund cost-sharing reduction (CSR) programs, which help lower-income individuals afford healthcare. These payments were previously halted during the Trump administration, leading to premium increases. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provides details on CSR programs.
- PBM Reform: The plan seeks to eliminate kickbacks from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to brokerage middlemen, aiming to increase openness and lower drug costs.
- Codifying “Most Favored Nation” Drug Pricing: The proposal would solidify the “most favored nation” (MFN) rule, which aims to tie the prices of certain drugs in the U.S. to the lowest prices paid in other developed countries. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has data on the MFN rule.
- Over-the-Counter Drug Availability: The plan supports expanding the availability of prescription drugs for over-the-counter purchase, potentially lowering costs and increasing access.
White House Statement
According to a White House statement,the “Great Healthcare Plan” is designed to “slash prescription drug prices,reduce insurance





