Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States
Oct 17, 2017
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: Oct 12, 2017
Published on: Oct 17, 2017
Oct 17, 2017
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: Oct 12, 2017
Published on: Oct 17, 2017
Summary
Makes it easier for people to buy different kinds of health insurance that are not part of the Affordable Care Act to increase choice and lower costs.
What problem does this solve?
Some believe that the Affordable Care Act has led to fewer healthcare choices and higher prices for many people. This order directs government agencies to make it easier for people to get other types of health plans, like association health plans and short-term insurance.
What does this order do?
Expands access to Association Health Plans (AHPs)
Directs the Secretary of Labor to consider making it easier for more employers, especially small businesses, to join together to offer health insurance to their employees.
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Expanded Availability of Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance
Increases availability of short-term insurance
Tells government agencies to consider allowing short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans to last for longer periods and be renewable.
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Expanded Availability and Permitted Use of Health Reimbursement Arrangements
Expands use of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs)
Orders agencies to consider rules that would make HRAs more useful and allow employers to offer them more widely, including for use with non-group insurance plans.
Requires reports on healthcare competition
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the President on how laws and rules are limiting healthcare choice and what actions could be taken to fix it.
Who does this affect?
- Small business owners and their employees
- Self-employed individuals
- People buying insurance on the individual market
What is the real world impact?
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Weakens the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Creates alternatives to ACA plans that are not required to follow all of its rules. Critics argue this could pull healthy people out of the ACA marketplace, making insurance more expensive for those who remain.
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Increases healthcare options for small businesses
Allows small businesses to group together to buy insurance, similar to large companies. This can give them access to better plans and lower prices, helping them compete.
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Provides more affordable insurance choices
Promotes short-term insurance plans and health reimbursement accounts as cheaper alternatives for people who find plans on the government exchanges too expensive.
When does this start?
This order takes effect immediately and sets several deadlines for government agencies to act.
Action on Association Health Plans (AHPs)
Within 60 days of October 12, 2017, the Secretary of Labor must consider proposing new rules to expand access to AHPs.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Header:
Expanded Availability of Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance
Action on short-term insurance
Within 60 days of October 12, 2017, several agency Secretaries must consider new rules to expand the availability of short-term health plans.
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Text:
Section:
Header:
Expanded Availability and Permitted Use of Health Reimbursement Arrangements
Action on Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs)
Within 120 days of October 12, 2017, several agency Secretaries must consider new rules to increase the usability of HRAs.
Report on healthcare laws
Within 180 days of October 12, 2017, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must provide a report to the President on healthcare competition.