President Donald Trump has directed federal agencies to waive, change or delay the implementation of certain provisions under the Affordable Care Act, the New York Times reported Friday.The first executive order Trump signed on Friday seeks to reduce the current healthcare law’s “economic and regulatory burdens” and give states more flexibility and control over healthcare programs before Congress starts the repeal process, Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Robert Pear wrote.
The order does not specify changes on particular aspects of ACA but the law could address the “individual mandate” that requires Americans to obtain insurance or pay a tax penalty, the report noted.
Reuters reported Saturday that Trump also seeks to create a free and open market for healthcare services and insurance through the order.
Health industry experts forecast the new administration would lessen benefits that insurance plans are required to cover such as maternity care and mental health services, according to the story by Jeff Mason and Roberta Rampton.
