President Donald Trump proposed a radical new healthcare plan for Senate Republicans to consider as the longest government shutdown in history continues over the future of healthcare for American citizens.

Trump, 79, took to Truth Social on Saturday to recommend Republicans stop sending federal funds to ‘money-sucking insurance companies in order to save the bad healthcare provided by Obamacare.’

His proposal suggested sending the money ‘directly to the people so that they can purchase their own, much better healthcare, and have money left over.’

‘In other words, take from the BIG, BAD insurance companies, give it to the people, and terminate per dollar spent.’

He reiterated that he believes Obamacare is the ‘worst healthcare anywhere in the world.’

It is unclear how exactly Trump’s plan would work.

Private healthcare is typically offered through employers or through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

It is also unclear who is eligible to receive the money Trump is proposing, how to obtain it, or how much each recipient would receive.

It is unclear how exactly Trump’s plan would work or who would be eligible for the money

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.

The ACA got its nickname when former President Barack Obama signed it into law in 2010. It allows citizens under the age of 26 to stay on their parents’ insurance, as well as prohibiting insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

It’s most well-known for allowing people who do not have access to healthcare to purchase ACA-compliant plans, as well as expanding who was eligible for Medicaid to include low-income adults.

The government has been shut down since October 1 – for a total of 39 days as of Saturday – making it the longest in US history. The second-longest shutdown happened during Trump’s first term, lasting 35 days.

Democrats are asking Republicans for a one-year extension to the ACA subsidies package, as the GOP’s plan could affect millions.

Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats over their demands to salvage expiring health insurance subsidies until they agree to reopen the government.

But Democrats are skeptical over whether he will keep his word, particularly after the administration restricted SNAP food aid despite court orders to ensure funds are available to prevent hunger.

On Tuesday – election day – Republicans saw many major losses in big races, including in the New York City mayoral race, which saw Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani take the win in the Big Apple.

The ACA got its nickname when former President Barack Obama signed it into law in 2010. It’s most well-known for allowing people who do not have access to healthcare to purchase ACA-compliant plans, as well as expanding who was eligible for Medicaid

Mikie Sherrill also pulled a win in neighboring New Jersey, beating her Republican counterpart Jack Ciattarelli.

Virginia also elected a Democrat and its first female governor when Abigail Spanberger won. And California’s controversial Proposition 50 also won, allowing it to redistrict and making it easier to send five more Democrats to Congress.

The major losses for the Republican Party had the conservative president reconsidering his party’s strategies about the shutdown, which he considered played a big role in the letdown.

‘I think if you read the pollsters, the shutdown was a big factor – negative for the Republicans,’ the president said.

The ACA subsidies at the center of the shutdown are income-based and help partially cover premium costs for some enrollees.

Subsidies are paid on a sliding scale between those who make 100% to 400% over the federal poverty line (FPL), which currently stands at $15,650 for an individual and $32,150 for a family.

Most states allow those who make under 100% of the FPL to enroll in Medicaid, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said.

The American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act increased the subsidies starting in 2021 and are set to expire at the end of this year. The extra subsidies covered 100% of the premiums for those making between 100% and 150% of the FPL.

Officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control have raided a warehouse in the Apata community of Jos, Plateau State, over product expiry date alteration, leading to the arrest of two suspects.

The raid, carried out between Friday and Saturday, was part of NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and quality of products in the market, especially during the festive period.

The Director of NAFDAC, North Central Zone, Kenneth Azikiwe, who led the operation, said, “We’re here today to address a concerning issue where some unscrupulous individuals are altering the dates on expired products to deceive consumers. They’re sold in small quantities to avoid suspicion. However, a consumer recently reported an issue, and our investigation led us to this facility.”

Azikiwe explained that the products, including wines and hot drinks, were cleaned with chemicals to remove the original expiry and manufacturing dates, and then relabeled with new ones.

He said the two suspects, Yusuf Hassan and Emma Nwobi, were arrested for allegedly altering the dates on expired products, while more suspects were being sought.

“We have two suspects in custody: Yusuf, who applied the altered dates, and the facility owner, who provided the labels. We’ve encountered similar cases before. Our team regularly checks markets, distributors, supermarkets, and sales outlets to ensure product safety.

“During this festive period, our Director General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, has directed us to be extra vigilant. We’re working to ensure all products are safe and of good quality,” he added.

Azikiwe urged the public to be vigilant when purchasing products, especially regulated ones, and to check the manufacturing and expiry dates on the label, not on any sticker.

The State Coordinator of NAFDAC in Plateau State, Dr Obida Musa, condemned the act, saying, “It’s truly unfortunate to witness such reckless behaviour from these criminals. It’s appalling and should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.”

Musa advised the public to be cautious when buying products, especially regulated ones, and to report any suspicious products to NAFDAC.

One of the suspects, Yusuf Hassan, pleaded for leniency, saying he didn’t know the expiry date had been altered.

He claimed he was only a supplier and didn’t intentionally try to deceive anyone.

Hassan said, “I don’t usually sell Pure Heaven products, but customers kept asking for it. I told them I didn’t have it, and they kept pestering me. I mentioned this to Emma Nwobi, a supplier, and he said he had some in his store.

“He gave me the product, and I didn’t know the expiry date had been altered. The original date was 2020, but it was changed to 2027. I didn’t realize it had expired.

“I buy from Mr Emma Nwobi and sell to people around me. I don’t have a shop; I just supply products to various places. I’m pleading for leniency, as I’ve never done this before.”

Our correspondent reports that NAFDAC is currently leading nationwide operations to rid the country of unregistered, expired, falsified, or banned products, which have continued to pose health risks to citizens.

The recent enforcement of the operation in three open drug markets — Idumota, Aba, and Onitsha — led to the evacuation of such products worth more than one trillion naira.

The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has confirmed the payment of some outstanding salary arrears and allowances owed to its members.

The doctors, however, said the ongoing indefinite strike in solidarity with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors will continue until all demands peculiar to its members are fully met.

ARD-FCTA president Dr. George Ebong disclosed this in a statement to Ekwutosblog on Wednesday.

The association confirmed that 28 doctors who had been owed salary arrears ranging from one month to one year were paid two nights ago.

It added that some doctors received their Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), though 47 of the 150 doctors who were due for the allowance are yet to be paid.

Dr. Ebong commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for what he described as the beginning of the implementation of their demands.

However, he stressed that resolving only a portion of the issues is not enough to call off the strike.

Ebong noted that the association remains open to dialogue and acknowledged ongoing engagements with the National Assembly and FCTA management.

“Two nights ago, the 28 doctors who had been owed their salary arrears for more than two years, ranging between 1 month to 6 months to 1 year, were paid.

“Also the MRTF of some doctors was also paid. Out of 150 doctors owed by the MRTF, only 103 were paid; there is a remainder of 47 doctors not yet paid.

“Salaries were also paid yesterday (Tuesday) starting from the morning time.

“We are indeed grateful to the Honourable Minister for the beginning of the implementation of demands.

“These demands are very pertinent to this strike and are also the prerequisite to the suspension of this strike both at the NARD level and also at the ARD-FCTA.

“While we are grateful for the dialogues that we have been involved in at the National Assembly and the FCTA management, we hope to find a lasting solution to the lamentable situation of our healthcare system.

“Finally, the management and the government should not always wait for a strike to occur before scampering to listen to our yearning.

“Our sincere appreciation once more to the HM FCT, Nyesom Wike, for his leadership and commitment to our country as we continue to work together to ensure that we continue our commitment to the welfare of our patients while we as health professionals are not neglected (again).

“However, the indefinite strike will continue until the rest of our demands are met,” he stated.

The association outlined several conditions that must be met before the strike can be suspended both at the national level (NARD) and within the FCTA. These include:

Immediate payment of MRTF for the remaining 47 doctors.

Payment of salaries owed to external resident doctors for 6–7 months.

Settlement of longstanding skipping arrears.

Payment of overdue promotion arrears.

Payment of post-Part II conversion arrears.

Implementation of the CONMESS 25 percent /35 percent adjustment is already in effect in federal institutions.

Payment of the approved wage award.

Settlement of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears dating back to 2021.

Immediate employment of additional healthcare workers.

Improvement of working conditions across FCTA health facilities.

Indefinite strike

DAILY POST reports that ARD-FCTA joined NARD in an indefinite industrial action since Saturday, November 1, 2025, over unmet demands.

ARD-FCTA recently lamented the implementation of its demands despite the approval by FCT Minister, Wike.