NLIRH Condemns Trump’s Administration Newest Attempt to Sabotage the ACA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Trump administration released a new Executive Order that guts key Affordable Care Act (ACA) consumer protections, allowing insurance companies to provide empty plans to employers and individuals. This Executive Order exempts employers participating in Associated Health Plans from core ACA requirements, including providing maternity care, cervical cancer screenings, mental health services, and necessary preventive healthcare services. It would force people to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for fewer services by broadening the definition of short term-insurance.

“In another desperate attempt to deprive the people of this country life-saving care, Trump’s administration has released an Executive Order that further sabotages the Affordable Care Act by exempting insurance companies from essential consumer protections created by the  ACA,” said Ann Marie Benitez, senior director of government relations for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.

This Executive Order creates new loopholes that would allow insurance companies to charge more for less coverage, and will additionally destabilize the market. Costs will skyrocket next year and insurance companies will be able to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.  This would further exacerbate health disparities for underserved populations. Just weeks before open enrollment starts, Latinas, communities of color, and individuals who rely on affordable and quality healthcare will be facing a marketplace that will be devastated as a result of this Executive Order.

“This newest ACA sabotage by the Trump administration causes chaos and increases uncertainty for both insurance providers and those accessing care. Efforts to repeal the ACA have already been met with overwhelming failure. Yet, Trump’s administration is hell-bent in eliminating access to the healthcare that allows people in this country to live full, normal, and healthy lives. Willfully destroying the regulations that protect individuals from empty insurance plans is cruel and potentially illegal.  Do not be fooled, this is fake healthcare. NLIRH will continue to stand strong as we advocate and bring voice to the need to expand health coverage, not deny it,” added Benitez.

For more information on NLIRH’s fight for health, dignity and justice, visit us at latinainstitute.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @NLIRH.

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The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health is the only national reproductive justice organization dedicated to building Latina power to advance health, dignity, and justice for 28 million Latinas, their families, and communities in the United States through leadership development, community mobilization, policy advocacy, and strategic communications.