Anthem Blue Cross of California
President Trump’s Executive Order allows federal agencies to ease ACA regulatory burdens, states intent to repeal law
January 30, 2017
On Friday, January 20, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order instructing the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the heads of all other federal agencies to “exercise all authority and discretion available to them to waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation of any provision or requirement” of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that would impose a fiscal or regulatory burden on individuals or families or any one of a number of other stakeholders across the health care system including health insurers and purchasers of health insurance.
This Executive Order has no immediate impact on Anthem plans or our members’ benefits and coverage.
However, the order confirms expectations that the new Administration intends to adjust ACA regulations while it works with Congress to repeal or modify the law. It also advises the Department of Health and Human Services and all other federal agencies to prepare to give states more flexibility and control in regulating their health care market.
Regulatory action by the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies is required for any changes to the ACA to take place. We expect these agencies to begin announcing such regulatory changes in the coming days and weeks.
In some cases, federal agencies with enforcement authority for ACA regulations may announce they will not enforce certain provisions of the law for a period of time.
Anthem will continue to closely monitor ACA-related actions by the President, Congress, and federal agencies and will share any decisions that impact our plans or customers.
This article applies to:
California
Small Group, Large Group, and Individual (under 65)