The special enrollment period for uninsured Americans is generating headlines and will be available in just a couple of weeks. But the executive order is expected to direct federal agencies to consider a variety of other reforms, which could have far more significant impact.
Among the most likely are
restoring funding for navigators and the outreach/education work that HealthCare.gov was able to do under the Obama administration,
rolling back the Trump administration’s relaxed rules for short-term health plans (in order to protect people with pre-existing conditions),
no longer approving Medicaid work requirements or block grant proposals,
rolling back the relaxed guardrails for 1332 waivers that the Trump administration championed,
changing the way affordability of employer-sponsored plans is calculated (in order to fix the family glitch), and
possible solutions that would eliminate the subsidy cliff and make coverage more affordable for people with income a little above 400 percent of the poverty level.
The second executive order is aimed at protecting women’s health in America and around the world, including ensuring access to all necessary reproductive health care. It rescinded the global gag rule (Mexico City Policy), which blocked U.S. funding for international non-profits that provide women with abortion counseling or referrals. The rule was first implemented in the 80s and has been rescinded and reinstated several times under different administrations.
The women’s health executive order also directs federal agencies to reconsider the Trump administration rule that eliminated federal funding for Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers.