President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order Thursday, seeking to bring affordable health insurance to millions of Americans by promoting flexibility, choice, and competition. <\/p>\n
The Order assigns the Labor Department to consider how to allow groups (small businesses, possibly individuals) to buy Association plans across state lines, consider expanding coverage through short-term low-cost plans, and to consider changes to employee reimbursement accounts. <\/p>\n
House Minority leader, Nancy Pelosi said prior to the signing of the Order that “it is a sabotage of the Affordable Care Act, and quite frankly, a real disservice to the American people.” <\/p>\n
Pelosi opined that President Trump “knows very little about healthcare legislation.”<\/p>\n
Supporters have long pushed for health insurance to be competitive by opening the market across state lines and using the power of numbers to buy insurance like a trade Association. <\/p>\n
Critics have long said an Order of this type will increase premiums as the risk pool adjusts up, filled mostly with people buying insurance that have pre-existing conditions. They also say that premiums may be lower under this Order, but benefits may be reduced. <\/p>\n
Neither side has a universal solution all can agree upon, but this Order certainly marks the first steps in President Trump making good on his campaign promise to dismantle Obamacare. <\/p>\n
The administration cites that it could take over six months to take effect. Congress has already given up on the notion of repeal\/replace of Obamacare in 2017, and while President Trump can’t repeal the Act himself, today’s Order proves he is willing to push his administration to update guidance and expand how<\/em> the law is implemented. <\/p>\n How the agencies will adjust to change the current regulations as ordered<\/a> by the President will become clear over time, stay tuned. <\/p>\n