The Biden-Harris administration is planning to sign two executive orders that will likely provide some healthcare relief for those needing insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as undo some Trump administration policies that undermined the Affordable Care Act.
The first order, Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, will ask HHS to reopen the Health Insurance Marketplace from Feb. 15 through May 15.
“This Special Enrollment Period will give Americans that need health care coverage during this global pandemic the opportunity to sign up,” the order reads.
The order will also take aim at Medicaid demonstrations and waivers introduced by the Trump administration, including adding Medicaid work requirements. The Trump administration also chipped away at the ACA by expanding short-term health plans that don’t comply with comprehensive care requirements of the healthcare law. Biden’s order promises to “re-examine” policies that undermine the Marketplace, that make it more difficult to enroll in Medicaid or the ACA, and that reduce affordability of coverage or financial assistance.
“As we continue to battle COVID-19, it is even more critical that Americans have meaningful access to affordable care,” the announcement read. “The actions the President is taking today complement the commitment he made in the American Rescue Plan to make health insurance coverage more affordable for millions of Americans.”
Biden has also directed agencies to look at policies that weaken protections for people with pre-existing conditions––including those related to COVID-19.
The second executive order is expected: a Presidential Memorandum to immediately rescind the global gag rule, or the Mexico City Policy, which severs funding to international healthcare organizations that provide abortion counseling or referrals. The gag rule has flip-flopped back and forth between Republican and Democratic presidents since Ronald Reagan, with Republicans reinstating the rule and Democrats repealing it.
Biden also asked HHS “to take immediate action to consider whether to rescind regulations under its Title X family planning program.”
Changes to the Title X Family Planning Program by Trump led approximately 25% of clinics to leave the program, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Implementing a domestic gag rule cut Title X network capacity by 46% nationwide. Planned Parenthood, which has treated one in five women in the U.S., left the Title X program in 2019 as a result of the Trump gag rule.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."