By Adam Brown
By Adam Brown
Rabat – After the polls closed on Tuesday and Trump was named the President-Elect, conversation turned to reforms and repeals of Obama’s comprehensive healthcare plan.
Supporters of the Affordable Healthcare Act (Obamacare) are preparing themselves for an onslaught from the incoming Trump administration. Trump has repeatedly stated his disdain for the comprehensive healthcare bill and many believe that it will be one of the first pieces of legislation under attack when he takes power in January 20.
Democrats in both the House and Senate have enough members to battle a full repeal of Obamacare, but they cannot prevent targeted legislation that modifies components of the current system. A recent Politico article highlighted immediate changes that Trump could make through executive action.
“He could loosen requirements, for instance by exempting more people from the individual mandate to buy insurance. The new administration could also cut off funds for outreach and enrollment assistance for Obamacare plans, just at the peak busy days at the end of the 2017 sign-up season”.
These actions would be the first of many steps to alter the current healthcare system.
GOP party members have stated that there are several methods to quickly return healthcare control back to the states.
“You can change regulations almost immediately to give the power back to states to give them choice,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.). Politico also highlighted that Republicans can utilize their majority to siphon funds away from the current plan.
Trump has not offered much in the way of an alternative to The Affordable Healthcare act and dismantling such a complex bill may hold massive repercussions for an industry that affects a fifth of the American economy. If action is not taken in a careful manner, more damage may be done to an already sensitive market.
