On October 12, 2017 President Trump signed an Executive Order intended to promote healthcare choice and competition across the United States. The order instructs the Secretary of Labor, within 60 days, to issue a regulation expanding the availability of association health plans (AHPs). It also instructs the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury to issue two regulations to: expand the availability of short term (temporary) health coverage; and expand the “usability” of HRAs.
It is expected to take at least 6 months before regulations are released. Until any regulations are enacted, the ACA and all of its regulations, penalties and enforcement remain the law of the land.
We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed.