Azar blasts ObamaCare as 'not affordable health care' as Supreme Court battle over 2010 law looms

close

Video

Azar: Trump's health care plan brings 'transparency across the system'

Health and Human Services secretary defends the president's new health care plan on 'Special Report.'

ObamaCare "is not affordable health care," Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told "Special Report" Thursday after President Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at protecting Americans with preexisting conditions while the administration seeks to overturn the 2010 Affordable Care Act at the Supreme Court.

"Let's be clear about the status quo," Azar told host Bret Baier. "Right now, under this glorified Obamacare that many want to talk about -- that they say protects people with preexisting conditions, a family of two aged 55 in Missouri making $70,000 a year will spend $30,000 a year on premiums and $12,000 in deductibles. I am sorry, that is not .. protection against preexisting conditions. That is not affordable health care. That doesn't solve their problem. President Trump wants to work with Congress to solve their problems in a real way."

HILLARY CLINTON CLAIMS 'DIABOLICAL' SUPREME COURT FIGHT IS ABOUT REPEALING OBAMACARE

Azar acknowledged, however, that "given that the Democrats control the House, there are limited degrees of freedom in what one realistically can achieve by legislation.

"So, what the president has done over the last three-and-a-half years is revolutionize health care in the United States to deliver better care, more choice, and lower cost," the secretary continued. "He has done more in three-and-a-half years to help all 331 million Americans' health care than any president in modern history.

FLASHBACK: TRUMP TAKES AIM AT OBAMACARE IN SUPREME COURT BRIEF

"It is more than Obamacare," Azar went on. "Obamacare is about 20-25 million people on individual insurance and in the Medicaid expansion."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Turning to the ongoing race for a coronavirus vaccine, Azar said the U.S. "could have 100 million doses of FDA gold-standard vaccine by the end of the year. And we will not compromise on safety and efficacy standards."

"The American people should be reassured," he promised, "any vaccine that is approved by the FDA is going to be safe and effective according to the officials and standards of the Food and Drug Administration."