After Countless Attempts to Eliminate ACA Fail, Trump Tries to Undermine Health Insurance Market with New Executive Order

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WASHINGTON, DC—Today, UnidosUS (formerly NCLR) denounced President Trump’s signing of an executive order to undermine critical consumer protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and destabilize the ACA’s health insurance marketplace. The order expands association health plans, allowing small businesses and certain trade organizations to band together to purchase skimpy health plans that do not abide by the ACA’s consumer protection requirements. This order will leave those with pre-existing conditions in a separate high-risk pool with higher health care costs and less coverage options.

“Make no mistake: today’s order—which is opposed by a diverse group of state insurance commissioners—will make health care less affordable and strip away the ability of hardworking Americans to access health insurance that is comprehensive and protects them in case of an unexpected illness or other medical event,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO, UnidosUS.

“Today’s executive order is a transparent move to allow companies to cherry-pick young, healthy consumers and put them in plans that do not cover essential health benefits like maternity care and prescription drugs, as required under the ACA. It is yet another desperate attempt by the Trump administration to try and sabotage the ACA, which has provided quality, accessible care and coverage to millions of Latinos,” Murguía added.