Trump backs Senate GOP bill to give Americans $1,500 checks for health care — here’s who qualifies
WASHINGTON—A new Senate Republican proposal would send as much as $1,500 straight into Americans’ health‑care savings accounts, and President Trump has welcomed it.
While aboard Air Force One on Tuesday night, Trump told reporters, “I like the concept. I don’t want to give the insurance companies any money.” He went on to say that “they’ve been ripping off the public for years,” calling Obamacare “a scam to make the insurance companies rich” and warning that “billions and billions of dollars is paid directly to insurance companies.”
The bill, slated for a Senate vote earlier this week, aims to ease the rising costs that 24 million people pay under the Affordable Care Act. It would hand out $1,000 checks to eligible adults aged 18‑49 and $1,500 checks to those between 50 and 64.
To qualify, applicants must earn no more than 700 % of the federal poverty line for their household. That translates to $109,550 for a single filer and up to $225,050 for a family of four. They also need to be enrolled in a bronze‑level qualified health plan (about one third of all ACA enrollees) or a catastrophic plan, both of which have high deductibles but differ in premium costs.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R‑La.), a co‑sponsor of the bill, said, “I absolutely agree with President Trump that we need to redirect subsidies from insurance companies and give patients the power.” He added that “Republicans want real solutions that actually make health care affordable and put money in families’ pockets. I applaud the President for his leadership on this issue.”
Funding for the payments would rise to roughly $10 billion, with restrictions preventing the money from covering contentious procedures such as abortions or gender‑reassignment surgeries.
Certain groups would also be ineligible. Those on silver, gold or platinum plans—plans with higher premiums and broader coverage—won’t qualify. Employees with employer‑sponsored insurance, as well as Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries, are also excluded. Some legally‑resident immigrants might meet the income cut‑off and therefore be eligible.
The bill had been scheduled for a vote but was briefly withdrawn by Sen. John Barrasso (R‑Wyo.) on Tuesday. A Republican aid clarified that the move was “purely procedural” and “not about the policy,” leaving the final voting date uncertain.
Trump’s comments come as he refines his economic message ahead of the 2026 midterms. He has spoken about offering Americans up to $2,000 in tariff‑rebate checks, $1,000 “Trump savings” accounts for children, and additional measures to curb costs.
Nationwide, consumers are still feeling the weight of cumulative inflation—up to 20 % during President Biden’s term—and a recent 3 % annual price rise, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics figures. The Trump administration has countered claims that tariffs are driving higher prices, presenting them instead as a lever to protect domestic industries and strengthen trade balances.
During a rally in a northeastern Pennsylvania casino, the president said, “If we didn’t have tariffs, you would have no steel.” He emphasized that “we wouldn’t have one steel mill anywhere in the United States, and that would be really bad for national security,” adding, “When energy comes down, your other prices come down.”
He also announced tax breaks for “hard‑working Pennsylvanians,” noting “the largest tax cuts in American history” that lift the tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security for seniors, all set to take effect January 1.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai asserted that the current system fails to deliver reasonable health‑care prices and that Democrats’ willingness to fund insurance companies won’t solve the problem. He highlighted the president’s focus on reducing prescription drug costs through deals with pharma companies and tackling waste, fraud and abuse to deliver tangible results for patients.
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