NCCS Statement on President Trump’s Harmful Health Care Executive Order

October 12, 2017

Silver Spring, MD – President Trump signed an executive order on health care today that directs federal agencies to write rules allowing association health plans and short-term health plans to be created, with neither being subject to the essential health benefit requirements of plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Many independent health analysts say these changes would primarily attract healthier people, causing critical harm to individual markets and raising prices for people who need comprehensive coverage. The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) strongly opposes the introduction of substandard health plans and will be an active and aggressive participant in the regulatory process, to make sure that the needs of those with cancer and other serious illnesses are reflected and that their access to affordable and adequate health insurance is protected.

NCCS CEO Shelley Fuld Nasso issued the below statement:

“Today’s Executive Order (EO) signed by President Trump is the latest evidence of the administration’s deliberate actions to sabotage the Affordable Care Act. Numerous attempts to repeal the ACA failed in Congress because a majority of Americans appreciate the ACA and the critical patient protections and peace of mind it provides. This EO begins a process that opens the door to sweeping changes that would hurt patients and cause catastrophic disruptions to the ACA marketplace.

“Let’s be clear, the policies in this EO benefit no one unless an individual is young and healthy, and stays that way. Cancer survivors would suffer severe consequences through reduced coverage, higher costs, or both. NCCS expects that the agencies will release proposed rules with adequate comment periods to permit the public to comment on these important matters of health care access. We expect and demand a transparent and open process, and we will continue to advocate for millions of cancer survivors, and many more Americans with pre-existing conditions, to afford the comprehensive coverage their lives depend on. NCCS asks Members of Congress to make the health of their constituents a top priority by taking constructive, bipartisan steps to further stabilize the ACA.”

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https://www.canceradvocacy.org/blog/aca-update-oct-06-2017/
https://www.canceradvocacy.org/blog/wcoe-oct-06-2017/