‘TrumpCare’ and commemorative plaques — how Democrats are pitching deal-making with the president

Democrats who won power amid a backlash against Donald Trump are proposing deals with the president to advance their agenda and show voters they are prepared to legislate. Their offers appeal to Trump’s interest in dealmaking and legacy, while recognising that his signature is needed for new laws.

Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed proposed “TrumpCare”, a golden card bearing Trump’s name for a universal healthcare plan. A 2022 Congressional Budget Office estimate found that single-payer options could raise federal healthcare subsidies by between $1.5 trillion and $3 trillion by 2030, while reducing patients’ out-of-pocket costs. Trump has said he is open to negotiating on healthcare and drug prices, but his willingness to pursue extended talks remains uncertain; House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has also left room for cooperation, while rejecting working with incoming chief of staff Stephen Miller.