White House to order expansion of health care options
President
Moreover,
Trump was expected to sign the executive order next week, likely on Thursday, a senior administration official said Sunday.
Under the president's executive action, membership groups could sponsor insurance plans that cost less because — for example — they wouldn't have to offer the full menu of benefits required under the Affordable Care Act, also called "Obamacare." It's unclear how the
"There are likely to be legal challenges that could slow this effort down," said
Similar alternatives have been promoted by
Association plans "kind of went away with the ACA, and now the idea seems to be to re-create them," said
Smedsrud said a different option also under consideration by the
Those plans generally have limited benefits and remain in force for less than a year. During the Obama administration, the availability of short-term coverage was restricted. One of Smedsrud's companies sells short-term plans.
Others warned that over time the
The order was being drafted as Trump expressed his willingness to work with
The president said Saturday that he had spoken to Senate Democratic leader
Schumer said through a spokesman Saturday that Trump "wanted to make another run at 'repeal and replace' and I told the president that's off the table." Schumer said if Trump "wants to work together to improve the existing health care system, we
It was unclear if the expected
It typically takes government agencies several months to carry out presidential directives, since they generally must follow a notice-and-comment process. Sign-up season for individual health insurance starts
"Whether this executive order could impact the 2018 market is yet to be seen, since the health plans have created and priced their 2018 products already, and open enrollment begins in just three weeks," said health industry consultant
While nearly 9 million consumers who receive tax credits under the Obama-era law are protected from higher premiums, about 6.7 million other customers with individual coverage get no subsidies and will bear the full brunt of cost increases that reach well into the double digits in many states.
Many in this group are solid middle-class, including self-employed business people and early retirees. Cutting premiums for them has been a longstanding Republican political promise.
"If the question is, is the president interested in working with
Expressing empathy remains a challenge for Trump
Ric Corley retiring after 50 years of vessel inspection
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News