Trump tees up Obamacare with executive order
Vows options, lower costs
WASHINGTON — Frustrated over setbacks in Congress, President Trump wielded his rule-making power yesterday to launch an end run that might get him closer to his goal of repealing and replacing Obamacare.
Whether Trump’s executive order will be the play that breaks through isn’t clear.
Experts say consumers aren’t likely to see major changes any time soon, although the White House is promising lower costs and more options.
Some experts warned that hard-won protections for older adults and people in poor health could be undermined by the skinny lower-premium plans that Trump ordered federal agencies to facilitate. Others say the president’s plans will have a modest impact, and might even help some consumers who don’t now benefit from financial assistance under the Obama-era law.
People on different sides of the polarized health care debate did agree that it will take months for the government bureaucracy to turn Trump’s broad-brush goals into actual policies that affect millions of people who buy their own health insurance policies.
“Today is only the beginning,” Trump said at the Oval Office signing ceremony. He promised new measures in coming months, adding, “we’re going to also pressure Congress very strongly to finish the repeal and replace of ‘Obamacare’ once and for all.”
Democrats denounced Trump’s order as more “sabotage” while Republicans called it “bold action” to help consumers. A major small business group praised the president, while doctors, insurers, and state regulators said they have concerns and are waiting to details.
“We want to make sure that all the consumer protections are there and included,” said Michael Munger, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
One of the main ideas from the administration involves easing the way for groups of employers to sponsor coverage that can be marketed across the land. That reflects Trump’s longstanding belief that competition across state lines will lead to lower premiums.
Responding to concerns, the White House said participating employers could not exclude any workers from the plan, or charge more to those in poor health.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., called Trump’s action “one of the most significant free market health care reforms in a generation.”