ACA UPDATE: Executive Order on Economic Burden

Compliance, Employee Benefits

Order sets tone for new Administration

On Friday, January 20, 2017, President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Order designed to ease the economic and regulatory burden of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The order itself did not issue any specific actions, but rather appears to set a tone for federal agencies.

While the Executive Order does not change any component of the law, it does provide some potential insight into how the new administration will approach the ACA. The major takeaways from the Executive Order include:

  • The policy of the Trump Administration is to repeal the ACA, but until that occurs the law will continue to be implemented in a way that minimizes economic and regulatory burden.
  • Federal agencies, specifically the Department of Health and Human Services, should act with discretion to minimize regulatory burden of the ACA.
    While the Executive Order does not make any specific changes, it does send a signal that the ACA will certainly experience changes in the future.

Takeaway

The first Executive Order from the new Administration was largely a symbolic act. Until we receive new legislation or guidance from federal agencies, organizations are strongly advised to continue their efforts to comply with the ACA. The experts at M3 will continue to monitor developments regarding the ACA and will keep you informed when changes occur

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