NAHU’s Statement on Trump’s Executive Order

October 12, 2017

Industry Updates, NAHU

Earlier today, President Trump signed an executive order in an attempt to improve access, increase choices and lower costs for healthcare.

What Is in the EO?

The EO directs the secretary of Labor to consider proposing regulations or revising guidance to expand Association Health Plans. The intent of this directive is to allow employers in the same line of business anywhere in the country to join together to offer healthcare coverage to their employees. It could potentially allow employers to form AHPs through existing organizations, or create new ones for the express purpose of offering group insurance. This could lead to the sale of insurance across state lines through AHPs; however, more action will need to be taken by the Department of Labor before this option can be available, and NAHU has urged the Administration to work closely with state insurance commissioners across the country to ensure that the rules that are enacted to allow such plans are able to address concerns by state policymakers regarding AHPs crossing into the markets within their borders. Read more…