Within the first 48 hours of returning to office, Trump signed several executive orders that threaten the health care of millions of Americans.
Amidst a flurry of executive orders, some of which were… The signing took place live on television On Inauguration Night, the US President issued several orders rescinding Biden-era directives that expanded health care access and options for low-income and middle-class Americans.
These orders are expected to affect medical insurance coverage for more than 20 million people in the United States.
“The previous administration instilled unpopular, inflammatory, illegal, and radical practices into every agency and office of the federal government,” Trump said in his speech to Congress. Official statementwhich indicated several health-related orders. The statement goes on to accuse diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies of creating “corrupt” institutions for Americans.
Those people whose coverage is now considered at risk are the nearly 24 million Americans who purchased their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act this year. The ACA, also known as Obamacare, has helped expand Medicaid benefits and provide affordable health insurance to millions of people.
Trump’s actions this week will affect all aspects of the Affordable Care Act, including eligibility requirements, federal benefits, and enrollment deadlines, which determine when Americans can apply for insurance, without repealing the law, which would take action from the US Congress. But these measures are expected to create more barriers and make health care coverage less accessible.
In a one-page document I published POLITICOTrump outlines options for cutting spending. These plans include measures that would reduce the amount of money states must fund Medicaid and limit eligibility for the health program depending on citizenship status. Each option listed involves cutting funding for health care coverage and access.
Some of the Biden-era orders that Trump has already rescinded include Executive Order 14009, or the Medicaid Strengthening and Affordable Care Act, which expanded access for Americans and their families, allowing more parents with young children to qualify for more comprehensive coverage. Some estimates suggest that this appeal alone could result in approx 25% loss From ACA coverage.
Additionally, Trump rescinded executive orders aimed at lowering the cost of prescription drugs for people participating in the government health insurance programs Medicare and Medicaid that mainly serve older and lower-income Americans.
The Biden administration also previously introduced the American Rescue Plan Act, a support program that lowered the cost of health insurance premiums. This has expanded eligibility requirements, broadening their scope to include more middle-class people in the United States.
But this program is scheduled to end at the end of this year. It was the location of the White House Purified from any male Of the plan, Trump has already rescinded Executive Order 14070, which highlighted the positive effects of the ARP on access to coverage, including enhanced market subsidies that lowered premium costs.
Executive Order 14070 also provided options for states to expand Medicaid coverage after childbirth.
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Weakening the ACA has consequences that reach far beyond just those Americans who lose their coverage. The lack of federally funded health care options means giving privatized insurance companies more power to control the health care industry, potentially increasing the cost of remaining health insurance options.
“The consequences of increasing the number of people without health insurance are really dire, not only at the individual level with increased medical debt and poorer health outcomes, but it also has ripple effects for providers,” said Sabrina Corlett, research professor and co-director of the Center for Care. Health. health He said insurance reforms at Georgetown University.
Commercial insurance had already proven difficult to navigate for millions, with people with insurance almost as vulnerable to medical debt as those who were uninsured. In fact, people with health insurance can now act The majority of debtors U.S. hospitals are struggling to collect money, according to medical billing analysts.
“Premiums go up for people who have health insurance. For people who don’t have health insurance, it’s financially devastating,” Corlett said. “The result is medical debt, withheld wages, and liens on people’s homes because they can’t pay their bills.”
