President elect Donald Trump ran largely on promises to undo the social programs of President Barack Obama. But now, it appears that Trump is willing to keep two important provisions of Obama’s signature healthcare legislation.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump said that he is willing to uphold two key parts of the Affordable Care Act: One that prevents insurers from denying coverage due to a patient’s pre-existing condition, and another that allows young adults to stay on their parent’s plans until they’re 26 years old.
At rallies and debates throughout the campaign, Trump has called for a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, calling it a “failure” and a “disaster.”
“Repealing Obamacare and stopping Hillary’s health care takeover is one of the single most important reasons that we must win on Nov. 8,” Trump said at a rally in late October.
More than 100,000 people signed up for insurance through Healthcare.gov the day after Trump was elected President, the busiest day of open enrollment this year. This despite reports earlier this year that premiums would rise by an average of 25 percent in 39 states throughout the country.
More than 20 million previously uninsured Americans have gained health insurance through the program.
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.