Thursday, October 12, 2017

Trump signs order enabling healthcare competition

Trump clears way for ObamaCare 'alternatives' in new executive order, goes around stalled Congress | Fox News:

October 12, 2017 - "President Trump on Thursday took executive action on health care, calling for a plan that could let employers band together and offer coverage across state lines ....

'So this is promoting health care, choice and competition all across the United States,' Trump said as he signed the order.... The president described the executive order as 'the first steps to providing millions of Americans with ObamaCare relief.' He said he isn't giving up on getting lawmakers to repeal the law....

"The executive order aims to offer 'alternatives' to ObamaCare plans and increase competition to bring down costs, the White House said.

"The president was joined at the signing by several Republican lawmakers, including Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who called it 'the biggest free market reform of health care in a generation.... This reform, if it works and goes as planned, will allow millions of people to get insurance across state lines at an inexpensive price,' Paul said.

"Trump said he will direct the secretary of labor to consider expanding access to Association Health Plans, which could allow employers to form groups across state lines offering coverage.... Those 'association health plans' could be shielded from some state and federal insurance requirements.... The order also calls on other federal agencies to consider expanding coverage in low-cost, short-term insurance plans not subject to ObamaCare rules....

"It's unlikely to reverse the trend of insurers exiting state markets. About half of U.S. counties will have only one ObamaCare insurer next year....

"The move comes after congressional Republicans repeatedly have been unable to pass legislation repealing or reforming the Affordable Care Act, which critics say has led to rising premiums and diminishing coverage options – in some cases forcing consumers to lose their previous plans and doctors. Trump’s executive order could clear the way for cheaper, more bare-bones insurance policies.

"Trump's order is likely to encounter opposition from medical associations, consumer groups and even insurers -- the same coalition that has blocked congressional Republicans. They say it would raise costs for the sick, while the lower-premium coverage for healthy people would come with significant gaps."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/12/trump-clears-way-for-obamacare-alternatives-in-new-executive-order-goes-around-stalled-congress.html
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