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USA Federal Legislation Simplified

Continuing To Strengthen Americans' Access to Affordable, Quality Health Coverage

E.O. 14070
Apr 8, 2022
E.O. 14070
Apr 8, 2022

Summary

Tells government agencies to find more ways to make health insurance cheaper and better for Americans under the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid.

What problem does this solve?

Many Americans still lack good, affordable health insurance, and some face large medical bills because their state has not expanded Medicaid. This order directs government agencies to find new ways to lower costs, improve benefits, and make it easier for people to sign up for health coverage.

What does this order do?

Directs agencies to continue strengthening healthcare access
Requires federal agencies to keep reviewing their rules to find ways to expand affordable health coverage, improve benefits, and help more people enroll.
Focuses on simplifying enrollment
Instructs agencies to look for policies that make it easier for people to sign up for and keep their health coverage, and to understand their options.
Aims to lower costs and expand eligibility
Tells agencies to find ways to lower costs for coverage in the ACA Marketplaces, Medicaid, and Medicare, and to make more people eligible for these programs.
Addresses medical debt
Requires agencies to examine policies and practices that can help reduce the financial burden of medical debt on American households.
Improves quality of coverage
Directs agencies to find ways to strengthen benefits, improve access to doctors, and protect people from low-quality insurance plans.

Who does this affect?

  • Uninsured and underinsured Americans
  • Low-income individuals and families
  • People in states without Medicaid expansion

What is the real world impact?

•
Strengthens existing healthcare laws
Aims to build on the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid to make sure more people can get and keep good health insurance. It continues the work of a previous executive order to lower costs and improve care for families.
•
Uses executive power to expand healthcare
Directs federal agencies to expand healthcare access through rule changes, which could be seen as a way to achieve policy goals without needing new laws from Congress. This reinforces the administration's political focus on the ACA.

When does this start?

This order goes into effect immediately on April 5, 2022, directing agencies to begin their reviews.