Thread by @ASlavitt

NEW:Report is Trump has EO ready to repeal ACA mandate. Aim 2 out in tax bill.

Landed in DC. Will tweet what I learn. Follow if interested.

2/ Here's what I know. I heard about this last week, but wasn't comfortable it was true for a reason I will get to.

3/ Now, a couple of R Senators are talking about it anonymously to the press.

washingtonexaminer.com/article/2639728 via @dcexaminer

4/ Trump has made no secret of his goal of dismantling the ACA. See all my tweets about what I call synthetic repeal.

5/ For everyone paying attention, Trump has been dismantling the law every piece & chance he gets.

The mandate however is the most radical.

6/ Per CBO, 16mm lose coverage. Premiums ⬆️ 15-20%. Insurers would leave markets bare.

A Trump/Ryan dream forcing a meek end to ACA.

7/ Question many have is how can Trump invalidate the law. Rest assured he will find a questionably legal approach.

Here's likely how...

8/ The mandate creates hardship exemptions. If you can't pay your electric bill, or been the victim of domestic violence, you are exempted.

9/ Trump's approach wouldn't be to end the mandate, but likely broaden the "hardship" to something completely unreasonable.

10/ As an example, Trump might say "If you think it's a hardship to comply with the mandate, it's a hardship."

11/ To be clear, the individual mandate was never particularly popular. But we still need them won't an adequate substitute (another topic).

12/ Some in Congress have asked Trump to hold off because adding it to legislation would create a $400mm+ offset to tax cut 4 wealthy.

13/ If doing this👇 isn't enough & massive cuts from Medicare/MCD aren't enough, bill wild add massive coverage losses/premium increases.

14/ One reason to be a little suspicious is Rs try to get reluctant Senators on board by saying "if we don't, he will so you may as well."

15/ Stopping the Senate from adding this stupid and careless provision is important.

What Trump may try has many challenges.

More later.