After the failure early Friday of the latest Republican plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act, President Trump said that he wants to “let ObamaCare implode, then deal.” Mr. Trump has already been doing three things to undermine important provisions of the health law, and there is more he could do.



IN PROGRESS
1. Weaken enforcement of the individual mandate.

HOW THIS HURTS OBAMACARE: Fewer healthy people may sign up for insurance, driving up prices for those who need it most, like older people and the sick.

The Affordable Care Act requires all Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty, with exceptions for people with hardships.

. . .

IN PROGRESS
2. Impose work requirements for Medicaid recipients.

HOW THIS HURTS OBAMACARE: Many people who gained coverage through Medicaid expansion may not be able to afford insurance or participate in the program.

Under the Affordable Care Act, 31 states expanded Medicaid coverage to poor adults who were previously uncovered. And Republicans in Congress sought to sharply curtail federal support for the expansion, likely causing many states to end it.

Mr. Trump cannot unilaterally prevent states from expanding Medicaid in the future. He could, however, allow states that apply to impose work requirements or charge premiums for more Medicaid beneficiaries, through a process that lets the government waive the normal Medicaid rules. Those changes might make it difficult for as many poor Americans to access the system.