President Donald Trump has unveiled a major healthcare reform aimed at lowering costs for working families by expanding access to "copper plans" under the ObamaCare exchanges.
Announced on Sept. 4, the move allows most Americans to buy these more affordable plans, which had previously been restricted to people under 30 or those granted rare hardship exemptions. By opening copper plans to the broader public, the Trump administration is positioning millions of families to secure coverage at a fraction of the cost of traditional plans.
Copper plans provide the same coverage mandates required by ObamaCare — including pre-existing conditions and essential health benefits — but they come with lower monthly premiums in exchange for higher out-of-pocket costs. Research indicates that copper plans average 22% cheaper than bronze plans and can be up to 60% less expensive than gold-tier offerings, potentially saving families thousands each year.
For many of the nearly 27 million uninsured Americans, cost has been the biggest barrier to coverage. Trump’s reform addresses that directly. By giving younger and healthier individuals access to copper plans, the administration hopes to draw more people into the exchanges, stabilizing premiums across the board and easing the financial strain on hospitals burdened with uncompensated care.
The change could also disrupt the so-called "doom loop" that has plagued ObamaCare — where rising premiums drive people out of the marketplace, leaving sicker patients behind and forcing insurers to raise prices even further. With copper plans now widely available, healthier demographics may help reset the balance.
This action dovetails with another Trump policy: reversing restrictions on short-term health plans, giving families even more affordable options during transitional periods such as job changes or early retirement. Together, these reforms reflect a broader push to reduce dependence on subsidies and expand private insurance choices.
Democrats have argued for expanding subsidies to offset ObamaCare’s rising costs, but Trump’s team insists that subsidies only mask the problem. By broadening plan options, they argue, Americans can access care that better fits their needs and budgets — without fueling long-term price hikes.
With the copper plan expansion, the administration claims to be delivering immediate relief for families while reshaping the individual market for lasting stability. Trump’s allies say the reform could benefit millions — and they’re already calling it one of the boldest healthcare steps of his presidency.