Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act
Feb 2, 2021
Signed by: Joe Biden
Signed on: Jan 28, 2021
Published on: Feb 2, 2021
Feb 2, 2021
Signed by: Joe Biden
Signed on: Jan 28, 2021
Published on: Feb 2, 2021
Summary
Aims to protect and strengthen Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to make good healthcare easy to get and pay for by every American.
What problem does this solve?
Many people who could get health coverage are still uninsured, and getting it is too hard, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. This order tells government groups to find and fix rules that make it hard to get insurance and to think about opening a special sign-up time.
What does this order do?
Creates a special sign-up period
Asks the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consider opening a Special Enrollment Period for people to get health coverage because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reviews all related government rules
Requires government agencies to look at all their current rules to find any that go against the goal of making healthcare affordable and easy to get through Medicaid and the ACA.
Reference
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Revocation of certain presidential actions and review of associated agency actions
Cancels past executive orders
Immediately cancels two previous executive orders (13765 and 13813) that were aimed at making the Affordable Care Act weaker.
Protects people with pre-existing conditions
Directs agencies to check for any policies that might weaken protections for people with pre-existing conditions, including problems related to COVID-19.
Removes barriers to getting coverage
Tells agencies to look for and fix rules that create unnecessary problems for people trying to get Medicaid or ACA coverage.
Who does this affect?
- Uninsured Americans
- People with pre-existing conditions
- Medicaid and ACA recipients
What is the real world impact?
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Expands access to health insurance
Makes it easier for people to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many people lost their jobs and insurance.
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Reverses previous administration's policies
Cancels previous executive orders that were designed to weaken the Affordable Care Act. It directs agencies to review and possibly remove any rules that make it harder to get coverage.
When does this start?
This order takes effect immediately on January 28, 2021, and directs government agencies to review their policies as soon as they can.