President Trump said Thursday that he would speak to and win over any Republicans that don't support insurance protections for sick people, defending against a popular line of attack by Democrats.

“All Republicans support people with pre-existing conditions and if they don’t, they will after I speak to them,” Trump tweeted. “I am in total support. Also, Democrats will destroy your Medicare, and I will keep it healthy and well!”

Democrats have criticized Republicans for not supporting pre-existing condition protections in attempting to repeal Obamacare. Republicans have been on the defensive over healthcare this election cycle, as multiple polls show it is the top issue on voters’ minds.

Trump's Justice Department, however, is supporting a lawsuit state-level Republican officials that seeks to end Obamacare's pre-existing condition protections.


In his tweet, Trump was also likely referring to “Medicare for all,” a progressive policy that has gained steam in the Democratic Party that seeks to extend Medicare to every American. Republicans have said the policy will bankrupt Medicare, even though Republicans also argue that Medicare is a major driver of debt and needs to be reformed.

Trump has not said how he will protect pre-existing conditions, and has not offered a plan if the lawsuit against Obamacare is successful.

An Obamacare bill that the House passed last May, and that Trump supported, would have allowed states to waive certain protections for pre-existing conditions for people who do not maintain continuous insurance coverage. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said that the bill would have jacked up insurance costs to unaffordable levels for people with pre-existing conditions that live in the states.

But Republicans have defended the bill by saying that they added $8 billion for high-risk pools and a requirement for states that get waivers to install high-risk pools. However, numerous experts say that the $8 billion was not enough to adequately cover claims from sick people.