Uncertainty grows as Trump delays a health care decision
The administration and House Republicans have asked a federal appeals court for a 90-day extension in a case that involves federal payments to reduce deductibles and copayments for people with modest incomes who buy their own policies.
In requesting the extension, lawyers for the Trump administration and the House said the parties are continuing to work on measures, "including potential legislative action," to resolve the issue.
—Continued protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and sustained federal funding to offset the cost of care for the sickest patients.
—Preserving ACA consumer safeguards including no lifetime caps on benefits, no higher premium for women based on gender, and a requirement that insurers spend a minimum of 80 cents of every premium dollar on medical care.
About 20 million Americans purchase individual health insurance policies, with more than half using the ACA's markets, which offer income-based subsidies for premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
"In merely delaying their suit, Republicans cynically continue to sow uncertainty in the health coverage of millions of Americans," House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California said in a statement.
The case is on appeal after a lower court ruled that the government lacks constitutional authority to make the payments because Congress failed to specifically approve them in the Obama-era health overhaul legislation.