Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s recent claim about President Trump trying to strip pre-existing condition coverage is demonstrably false.
At a Glance
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz falsely claimed that Trump aimed to cancel health insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions.
- Trump repeatedly affirmed his support for maintaining this coverage throughout his presidency.
- Trump’s administration proposed alternatives to Obamacare that included protections for pre-existing conditions.
- Walz’s statement, made during an Oct. 1, 2024, debate, has been fact-checked and proven inaccurate.
Governor Walz’s False Assertion
During the vice-presidential debate hosted by CBS News on October 1, 2024, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz claimed that former President Trump sought to eliminate health insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions. Walz’s statement has been thoroughly debunked by fact-checkers and official records.
President Trump, throughout his presidency, made numerous public assertions affirming his commitment to maintaining coverage for pre-existing conditions. Trump’s administration proposed alternatives to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which included protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions.
TRUMP: "Walz is taking so many notes – Never seen a Candidate take more! He needs the notes to keep his brain intact." https://t.co/hyqdFN75SF
— Kellie Meyer (@KellieMeyerNews) October 2, 2024
Trump’s Consistent Position
President Trump emphasized in multiple speeches and congressional addresses the necessity of safeguarding coverage for pre-existing conditions. Trump’s advocacy for the repeal and replacement of Obamacare aimed to introduce new solutions that preserved protections for these individuals.
Walz’s assertion came during a debate with Ohio Senator JD Vance, reflecting policy disagreements and highlighting Walz’s misleading statements regarding Trump’s record on healthcare.
Debate Context and Fact-Check
The vice-presidential debate, held on October 1, 2024, was moderated by Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan. While the moderators sometimes clarified candidates’ statements, most points were not fact-checked in real-time. The debate featured policy-focused discussions and occasional agreements between Vance and Walz, but Governor Walz’s claim about pre-existing condition coverage was particularly scrutinized after the event.
