In a new blow to US president Donald Trump, CNN anchor Jessica Dean was forced to interrupt the programme to issue some urgent breaking news over healthcare plans. She first announced to viewers that Trump was planning to unveil his new proposals yesterday (November 24) after the government shutdown – but those plans quickly changed.
Dean said: “President Trump is planning to unveil a new healthcare proposal, and at this point we’re still waiting to know exactly what’s in it, but we’re told it could include a temporary extension of the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are due to expire at the end of the year. They were at the centre of the government shutdown.
“However, the subsidies could come with some fresh guardrails that could include new income limits and a requirement that everyone pay some form of a premium. Now, we should note that if the subsidies do expire, millions of Americans are expected to see their premiums more than double next year.”
She was joined by Zack Cooper from Yale University, but as she introduced him, the breaking story evolved.
Dean said: “Zack, thanks for being here. As I noted, we are very much still waiting for the specifics here…” cutting herself off as she added: “Sorry, Zack, we’re getting breaking news while I’m talking to you.
“I have learned that the White House has postponed its expected unveiling of this new healthcare proposal. It was expected to be unveiled today.
“We’ll learn more, hopefully, about that, in the coming moments, but again, this is postponed.”