Trump: Divert Federal Funds From 'Money Sucking' Health Insurers

President Donald Trump, in a series of Truth Social posts, said "hundreds of billions of dollars" in federal funding that goes to "money sucking" health insurers under the Affordable Care Act should be sent directly to the public.


That puts health insurance stocks under fire. UnitedHealth Group (UNH), Elevance Health (ELV), Centene (CNC), Cigna (CI), Oscar Health (OSCR), Molina Healthcare (MOH) and CVS Health (CVS), which owns, Aetna, are notable ObamaCare insurers.


"I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE, and have money left over," he wrote Saturday. He added, "In other words, take from the BIG, BAD Insurance Companies, give it to the people, and terminate, per Dollar spent, the worst Healthcare anywhere in the World, ObamaCare."

In another post, Trump wrote, "THE MONEY MUST NOW GO DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE, TAKING THE 'FAT CAT' INSURANCE COMPANIES OUT OF THE CORRUPT SYSTEM OF HEALTHCARE."

On Sunday, Trump wrote, "PAY THE PEOPLE, NOT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES!"


Trump's Truth Social posts come as the longest government shutdown continues. Democrats wants to extend ObamaCare subsidies that are set to expire on Dec. 31. ACA premiums are set to skyrocket for 2026.

Trump didn't lay out any details of how federal funds should be directed to Americans directly. In any case, a massive revamp of U.S. health care policy along these lines would face united Democratic opposition. The Senate filibuster, requiring 60 votes to break, would make passage impossible even if GOP lawmakers were united.

President Trump, in his posts, reiterated his call for scrapping the filibuster to end the government shutdown. Republican lawmakers are wary, fearing what a future Democratic-led presidency and Congress would enact.

Health insurer stocks were down slightly to strongly early Monday. UnitedHealth, Elevance, Cigna and CVS were down 1-2%. Molina Health gave up 3%. Centene and Oscar slumped roughly 8%.

The group has sold off sharply over the past year, in part because of higher Medicare Advantage costs. UnitedHealth stock and many peers bottomed in early August, but have recently hit resistance.

UnitedHealth, a Dow Jones component, is down 35.9% in 2025 as of Nov. 7. Elevance Health stock has lost 139%. Centene stock is off 38%, with peer Molina down 47.75%. Cigna stock is down just 4.2%, but still hit a three-year low on Nov. 3.

Oscar Health stock is up 31.85% in 2025.

CVS Health, which has major drug store and pharmacy benefit operations as well, is the standout. CVS stock is up 76% so far this year.

https://www.investors.com/news/trump-federal-funds-money-sucking-health-insurers/