With president elect Donald Trump prepared to take office on January 20, 2017, it is a good time to review the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) current standing along with how it may change in the future. Trump and the Republicans have opposed the ACA, calling for its repeal. It remains uncertain when and which potential changes will occur, but we will take a look at some of the items in the ACA that are subject to change.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has proposed the following changes:
- Getting rid of the exchanges
- Creating tax-free health savings accounts (HSAs) for people with high deductible health plans (HDHPs)
- Enabling insurance companies to sell insurance across state lines
- Eliminating both the Cadillac tax and individual mandate
A few of the current ACA rules and plans are expected to remain the same and untouched:
- Rule requiring group health plans and health insurance issuers to offer group or individual coverage that provides dependent coverage to children on their parent’s plans until the adult child reaches age 26
- Rule prohibiting insurance companies from refusing to cover individuals with pre-existing conditions or charging more because of an individual’s pre-existing condition
When and what to expect
It remains unclear exactly what changes will be made and when, so it remains important to stay as informed as possible.
Per the Times report, Trump said he wanted Obamacare to be repealed “probably sometime next week” and a replacement to be introduced “very quickly or simultaneously.”
However, it is important to note that it is unlikely for change to happen overnight. A replacement of the ACA would require congressional action and would take time. We will keep you updated with the latest news after President Trump is inaugurated on January 20 and a clearer picture emerges.