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Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 12
Trend:
President Donald Trump signed a new executive order Thursday in an effort to expand health-coverage options and reduce costs for Americans — an order that Obamacare defenders fear will damage gains made under that health-care law, CNBC reports.
The executive order eyes loosening of rules surrounding the issuance of health plans by small businesses, as well as rules about enrollment in short-term health insurance plans — which are less expensive, and less comprehensive than Obamacare health plans.
Trump said the order is "taking the first steps to providing millions of Americans with Obamacare relief."
"This is promoting health care, choice and competition all across the United States," Trump said during the signing ceremony in the Roosevelt Room in the White House.
"This is something that millions and millions of people will be signing up for, and they're going to be very happy. This will be great health care."
But the order will not necessarily have any significant practical impact on the nation's health insurance system by the time Obamacare's next open enrollment season starts next month.
That's because of the time it takes to propose and take public comment on the potential changes.
And the order does not lift the Obamacare rule that most Americans have some form of health insurance for the year or face a tax penalty.