President Donald Trump has flipped the script on health insurance subsidies. He recently proposed redirecting taxpayers' Affordable Care Act payments to patients themselves so they can purchase their own care and coverage.

"Pay the people, not the insurance companies," he wrote. "Call it Trumpcare."

The dispute over expiring ACA subsidies was the source of the 43-day federal government shutdown that ended last week. Senate Republicans have promised a floor vote on the future of these enhanced payments in December.

Trump's plan is a better alternative. Giving this money directly to consumers empowers them to choose higher-value treatments and insurance. It forces providers and insurers to vie for patients' business by lowering prices and improving quality rather than enriching themselves

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