Trump issues executive order to 'ease the burden' of the ACA

President Trump late Friday issued an executive order designed to “ease the burden” of the Affordable Care Act, according to Press Secretary Sean Spicer. The brief order directs the Department of Health and Human Services and 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 Act that would impose a fiscal burden on any State or a cost, fee, tax, penalty, or regulatory burden on individuals, families, healthcare providers, health insurers, patients, recipients of healthcare services, purchasers of health insurance, or makers of medical devices, products, or medications.” The order does not reference Medicaid specifically but directs the agencies to “provide greater flexibility to States and cooperate with them in implementing healthcare programs.” The order does not cite specific rules related to the ACA, and it is unclear how quickly HHS and other agencies may move to take action. Rep. Tom Price’s (R-GA) nomination as HHS Secretary will be considered by the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday. AHA members received a Newsflash over the weekend with further details.