Vance boasts about kicking nearly one million people off Obamacare over fraud allegations

Washington DC - Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday boasted that more than 750,000 people have been, or will be kicked off former President Barack Obama's flagship Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance market place over accusations of widespread fraud.

Vice President JD Vance boasted about the more than 750,000 people who are losing Obamacare under the Trump administration.   © AFP/Alex Wroblewski

Vice President JD Vance announced the move during a press conference on Tuesday, alleging a large amount of recipients were "improperly enrolled," and promising that the administration will save tax payers $2.2 billion by getting rid of them.

He claimed fraudulent recipients either did not meet the eligibility requirements or did not exist, and said the administration plans to investigate 440,000 more enrollees.

"We're actually making sure that the people receiving Obamacare subsidies are actually entitled to receive them," Vance insisted.

DOJ weighs in on Trump's free press ban, says he can "control reporters"
Donald Trump DOJ weighs in on Trump's free press ban, says he can "control reporters"

The move comes as Trump has made weeding out alleged fraud from the federal government a focus of his second term, tapping Vance to head a made up "Fraud Task Force."

Over the years, Trump has angrily sought to dismantle many of Obama's achievements, even as the Democrat remains one of the most popular politicians in the country.

The ACA – which Republicans nicknamed "Obamacare" in an effort to demonize it – was signed into law in March 2010.

To date, it is still considered one of Obama's most notable achievements, with over 19 million enrollees. Though it is still popular among voters, The New York Times reports that enrollment this year has "decreased significantly" due to the rising costs of plans.

Ad

In an X post, former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi argued: "Using the false pretext of fighting fraud to strip Americans of their healthcare is as cynical as it is cruel."