Trump, Pence Pledge To Repeal And Replace Obamacare Act
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Donald Trump says that if he becomes president, he'd immediately convene a special session of Congress to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
COMPLETE CAMPAIGN 2016 COVERAGE
Trump delivered what his campaign billed a major speech Tuesday about President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. He spoke in the Philadelphia suburbs, which are crucial to his hopes of winning Democratic-leaning Pennsylvania.
Trump said Obamacare was "a catastrophe'' and has to be replaced "very, very quickly.''
He said if it isn't replaced, "we will destroy American health care forever.''
Trump left the detailed criticisms of the program to Mike Pence, his running mate. Pence delivered a lengthy takedown of the health law, highlighting the news that the cost of its premiums are rising.
In late October, it was announced that premiums for a mid-level benchmark plan under Obamacare will increase an average of 25 percent across the 39 states served by the federally-run online market, according to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services. Some states, like Arizona, will see much bigger jumps, others less.
An estimated 5 million to 7 million people are either not eligible for the income-based assistance, or they buy individual policies outside of the health law's markets, where the subsidies are not available.
According to CBS News, the latest RealClearPolitics average of national polls shows Hillary Clinton leading Trump by just over three points, the closest margin in a month.
Clinton is holding three early rallies in Florida Tuesday while Trump attends rallies in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Election Day is Nov. 8.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)