President Donald Trump is back in the ring, swinging hard against the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with a promise to knock it out for something better, as Newsmax reports.

Amid a grinding government shutdown, Trump has reignited his long-standing battle with the ACA, tying its reform to a potential bipartisan breakthrough, while Democrats dig in over expiring subsidies and rising premiums.

Earlier this week, aboard Air Force One en route to an economic summit in South Korea, Trump floated the idea of collaborating with Democrats to replace the ACA with a superior plan.

Trump’s bold call for bipartisan reform

He didn’t mince words, claiming the current system enriches insurance companies while failing everyday Americans with skyrocketing costs.

“We have to fix healthcare, because Obamacare is a disaster,” Trump declared aboard Air Force One. “When you see the increases in Obamacare, it never worked. It never will work, and we can do something with the Democrats much better than Obamacare.”

That’s a hefty promise, but let’s be real -- bipartisan deals in Washington are rarer than a quiet day on social media. Still, Trump’s olive branch might just be the nudge needed to get talks moving, if Democrats can stomach sitting at the table.

Shutdown stalemate over ACA subsidies

On Thursday night, Trump took to Truth Social to blast the ACA, calling it a catastrophe with premiums spiraling out of control.

“As I have said for years, OBAMACARE IS A DISASTER!” he posted. “Rates are going through the roof for really bad healthcare!!!”

Hard to argue with the frustration when families are bracing for sticker shock as the ACA marketplace enrollment kicks off on Saturday. Those premium hikes aren’t just numbers -- they’re real pain for real people.

Democrats demand extension

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are holding the line, insisting on extending enhanced ACA subsidies set to lapse at the end of next year. These subsidies, beefed up during the COVID-19 crisis via the 2021 American Rescue Plan and extended in 2022 through the Inflation Reduction Act, capped premiums and broadened eligibility. They’ve been a lifeline for many, but their expiration looms like a dark cloud.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) tried to broker a deal earlier this month, offering a vote on subsidy extensions if Democrats would end the shutdown. It’s a fair trade on paper, but trust in Washington is thinner than a dollar store napkin. Will Democrats bite, or keep the government in limbo?

Back to Trump’s pitch -- he’s urging Democrats to reopen the government first, promising to tackle healthcare reform right after. It’s a classic “let’s make a deal” move, but with premiums climbing and enrollment starting, the clock is ticking louder than a drumline.

Can healthcare unite divided Congress?

Trump’s critique isn’t new; he’s long argued the ACA is a broken mess that’s never delivered on its promises. He’s got a point -- many Americans are shelling out more for plans that don’t cover enough. But replacing it? That’s a policy puzzle even the sharpest minds haven’t cracked.

Still, there’s something refreshing about a leader willing to cross the aisle, especially in an era where partisan shouting matches drown out solutions. Trump’s insistence that insurance companies are raking in too much cash under the current system resonates with folks tired of corporate windfalls. Maybe, just maybe, this shutdown mess could birth a rare moment of unity.

Let’s not get too starry-eyed, though. With Democrats laser-focused on subsidies and Republicans itching to dismantle a law they’ve loathed for years, any compromise will need more than good intentions -- it’ll need a miracle. For now, Americans watching their healthcare costs climb can only hope Trump’s words turn into action before the next premium bill hits.