Sen. Susan Collins, pictured in September, said Sunday that her colleagues should step in to address Obamacare exchanges, after President Donald Trump ended key subsidies for the program. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo Collins and Pelosi disappointed that Trump ended Obamacare subsidies

A pair of key lawmakers on each side of the aisle criticized President Donald Trump on Sunday for ending subsidies that help low-income Americans afford health care under the Affordable Care Act.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she was “disappointed” by the president’s actions and urged Congress to “step in” with its own plan for Obamacare.


“The debate in Washington has been whether or not to repeal the Affordable Care Act in the future. What the president is doing is affecting people's access and the cost of health care right now,” Collins said on ABC’s “This Week.” “I don't agree with his decision on the subsidies that help low-income people afford their deductibles and co-pays.”

On Thursday, Trump announced he was immediately ending cost-sharing subsidies that reduce the cost of health insurance for low-income individuals. The move could prompt insurers to raise rates or pull out of Obamacare exchanges entirely.

While some Republicans like Collins didn’t agree with this action, Democrats were overwhelmingly against the action.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said it was the week the president “went rogue.” She also said it’s “a little far down the road” to sit and talk with the president about a plan forward because he doesn’t seem to understand or care about how his actions affect people.

“Why would he hurt people and say, 'Now that I've taken the American people hostage, let's talk,'” Pelosi said on ABC’s “This Week.”

“When he speaks, he does not speak from the basis of knowledge," Pelosi added. "That's why it's so hard to deal with him.”

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