President Donald Trump said he doesn't want to extend expiring Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies but that it "may be necessary", pushing back on a Politico report that he had been poised to unveil a plan that included a two-year extension on ACA subsidies.

"Somebody said I want to extend them for two years," Trump told reporters Nov. 25 while traveling on Air Force One to Florida. "I don't want to extend them for two years. I'd rather not extend them at all. Some kind of an extension may be necessary to get something else done."

The White House delayed Trump's health care proposal amid resistance from congressional Republicans, MS NOW and CNN reported earlier this week.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Nov. 25 that Trump soon will be making recommendations for improving health care, but one thing he isn't contemplating is a "straight" two-year extension of the ACA subsidies that were at the center of the recent government shutdown.

"The President is having ongoing conversations with members of his administration, members of Congress, and private sector experts," Leavitt added. "He will make recommendations for healthcare policy improvements in the near future.”

Trump reiterated Nov. 25 that his preference is to bypass health insurance companies and give money "to the people directly, let them go out and buy their own health care plan."

The White House's dive into health care policy comes as health insurance premiums are on track to skyrocket at the end of the year if the subsidies are not extended, putting Republicans in Congress in a dilemma to avert a major political liability ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The policy fight was at the center of the record-breaking government shutdown that ended earlier this month.

Democrats have been demanding an extension of the subsidies, which expire at the end of the year, as part of any legislation to fund the government. Republicans rejected the idea, and lawmakers eventually approved a funding bill that didn't extend the subsidies. They remain an explosive political issue.

Republican lawmakers have been split on how to address the subsidies, with some hardline conservatives arguing to let them expire and moderates backing an extension.

About 22 million Americans who get ACA tax credits will see their monthly premium payments more than double on average if the subsidies are not extended, according to KFF, meaning consumers would pay an average of $1,016 more in 2026.

Trump has repeatedly talked about overhauling the Affordable Care Act, the signature law of former President Barack Obama and long a target for repeal among Republicans. Trump advisors and some Senate Republicans have suggested using health savings accounts rather than insurance subsidies.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says extending ACA insurance subsidies might be 'necessary'

Reporting by Zac Anderson and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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