On January 20, President Trump signed an executive order regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), creating a broad policy statement about how the leaders of ACA-related agencies are to conduct themselves.

While executive orders may not be used to modify laws or regulations, Trump’s order did include directions to:

• Avoid cost burdens on states, individuals, families, doctors, insurers, and patients.
• Cooperate with states to implement alternative healthcare programs.
• Encourage the development of a free and open healthcare services and insurance market, with the goal of maximizing options for consumers.
• Comply with the Administrative Procedure Act and other laws while enacting these regulatory revisions.

The executive order is not expected to immediately affect companies’ health care benefits. Since the order lacks a concrete action plan, nothing will happen until the agencies’ leadership develops a strategy to implement the order, an IRS commissioner is put in place, and the heads of the effected departments (including Health and Human Services, Treasury, and Labor) are confirmed by Congress.

If you have any questions regarding how these potential changes to healthcare law may impact your business, please contact Mike Deary, Assistant Vice President Sales Administration of Western Growers Insurance Services at (949) 885-2391.