Trump Administration Proposes New Obamacare Rules for 2027 with Higher Deductibles

The proposed regulations aim to crack down on alleged fraud and lower healthcare costs.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 7:47pm

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The Trump administration has proposed new Obamacare rules for 2027 that would allow insurers to offer long-term catastrophic policies with low premiums but significantly higher out-of-pocket costs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says the goal is to crack down on alleged fraud and misleading practices by health insurance agents and brokers in order to lower healthcare costs, though no evidence is cited. The proposed rule also encourages new consumer-focused plan designs that expand choice and support affordability.

Why it matters

The proposed changes to Obamacare rules could significantly impact healthcare coverage and costs for Americans, with the introduction of catastrophic plans that trade lower premiums for much higher deductibles. This aligns with the Trump administration's push to reintroduce more catastrophic plans, which the president says gives healthy Americans more freedom to choose coverage that suits them, though critics argue these plans make healthcare less accessible.

The details

The 2027 Payment Notice sets standards for health insurance issuers, brokers and agents who offer Affordable Care Act coverage, also known as Obamacare. Catastrophic coverage was common before the ACA was signed into law by former President Barack Obama, but its use was effectively limited. The proposed rule encourages new, consumer-focused plan designs that expand choice and support affordability. It also calls for stronger eligibility and income verification, along with enhanced enforcement policies, to ensure premium subsidies are reserved for eligible individuals.

  • The proposed rule is subject to a public comment period until March 11, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The Republican President who has called for reintroducing more catastrophic health plans, which he says gives healthy Americans the freedom to choose the coverage that suits them.

Barack Obama

The former Democratic President who signed the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, into law, effectively limiting the use of catastrophic health coverage plans.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

The federal agency that proposed the new Obamacare rules for 2027, aiming to crack down on alleged fraud and lower healthcare costs.

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What’s next

The proposed rule is subject to a public comment period until March 11, 2026, after which the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will review the feedback and potentially finalize the new Obamacare regulations for 2027.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's proposed changes to Obamacare rules for 2027 could significantly reshape healthcare coverage in the United States, with the introduction of catastrophic plans that offer lower premiums but much higher deductibles. This aligns with the president's push for more consumer choice, but critics argue it could make healthcare less accessible, especially for those with lower incomes.