Trump Starts ACA Repeal and Replace

Within hours of taking office, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at rolling back the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare.

So what does this executive Order mean right now?

The President, as Head of the Executive Branch, tell its employees how to carry out their jobs and what to prioritize.

This order does that. It directs the Secretary of United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take all Legal steps to remove “Regulatory Burdens” of Obamacare. They still have to follow the Law and Existing Regulations. Any Major Administrative change would require Rule-Making, including a Public Comment and Review Process, and any Major Law change would, of course, require Congress.

One likely impact will be for States that did not expand Medicaid. Many had applied for Waivers to use Federal Funding in different ways for their own Programs. Many Waivers were denied. This order seems to tell HHS to do all that they can to approve those Waivers.

Next steps regarding the Affordable Care Act:

- Monday: Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) will introduce updated Healthcare proposal, aimed at giving States flexibility to keep Obamacare.

- Tuesday: Senate Finance holds Confirmation Hearing for HHS Nominee Rep. Tom Price. No you're not imagining things, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor (HELP) held a Confirmation Hearing for Price this week but it was a "Courtesy Hearing" and Senate HELP will not Vote on the Nomination.

- Wednesday-Friday: Republican Congressional Retreat in Philadelphia. Expect more unified messaging on the ACA Repeal Process coming out of the Retreat.

- Next week: Possible Confirmation Vote on HHS Secretary nominee, Rep. Tom Price (R-GA 6th District).

- Jan. 27th: Date set in Budget Resolution for Committees to produce Recommendations for Repeal and Replace plans, but date could slip.

Expect a lot of competing plans.

President Trump said he has his own plan that is “almost ready” that would provide “insurance for everybody.” This plan has not been shared with Congress.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), the only Republican to Vote against the "Repeal" Budget Resolution, is expected to release a Replacement plan.

House Speaker Paul Ryan may release a "Skeletal Framework."

February will be full of Hearings and Discussion about various Plans and whether a “Repeal” is passed before Lawmakers decide on a Replacement plan.











NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker