On September 24, President Trump issued an executive order pertaining to his national health care plan, the America First Health Care Plan. The executive order primarily focuses on individuals with pre-existing conditions and their ability to continue to obtain affordable, quality health care. The order also focuses on eliminating or reducing the surprise billing issues that exist within the health care system.
Executive orders do not change any laws currently in place, but rather offer consideration to be given as legislation concerning health care is developed. The order does not affect the current Affordable Care Act put into place under the Obama administration. The America First Health Care plan is broad in scope; and will remain vague in intent until the governing bodies associated with it release guidance.
The order did specifically direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to work with Congress to develop a solution to address the surprise billing issues no later than December 31, 2020. If the two bodies do not formulate some form of resolution, it directs HHS to take executive action to implement measures to prevent individuals from the burden of unforeseen out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Contact your Cowden representative for more information on this or other compliance issues.