Capitol Hill Briefing 

# Permanent Health Insurance Relief: A Bipartisan Blueprint for Congress 

Date and Time 

April 17, 2026 12:30 - 1:30 PM EDT 

Location 

2075 Rayburn House Office Building 

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##### Featuring 

[![Michael F. Cannon](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2021-01/Michael%20Cannon.jpg?itok=0UROn8Dc)](/people/michael-f-cannon) 

[Michael F. Cannon](/people/michael-f-cannon)

Director of Health Policy Studies, Cato Institute

[ 

](https://x.com/mfcannon) [ 

](mailto:mcannon@cato.org) 

![health insurance relief](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/pubs_2x/public/2026-04/GettyImages-1349706780.jpg?itok=ex71pH92) 

Former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump both offered relief when Obamacare made coverage unaffordable and rationed care. Congress should make the relief they pioneered universal and permanent. Congress should free all individuals and employers to purchase Obamacare-exempt health plans available in US territories (Obama) and codify an agency rule clarifying that short-term health plans may offer certain consumer protections (Trump). Obamacare would remain for those who want it, and Congress would be free to adjust it.

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