PRESIDENT BIDEN EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON HEALTH CARE POLICY

On Thursday, January 29, 2021, President Biden took two executive actions related to health care.

Executive Order on the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid

• Special Enrollment Period for HealthCare.gov –HHS announced a Special Enrollment Period, running February 15 – May 15.  
• Review of Agency Actions – The Executive Order directs the Departments of HHS, Labor, and Treasury to undertake a review of all existing policies (regulations, guidance, etc.) “to determine whether [they] are inconsistent with the” policy directive in the EO: that “it is the policy of my Administration to protect and strengthen Medicaid and the ACA and to make high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable for every American.” 
• Repeal of Executive Orders – The EO repeals two Trump Administration EOs: 1) Minimizing the Economic Burden of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Pending Repeal; and 2) Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States. 

Presidential Memorandum on women’s health:

• Title X Family Planning Program – Repeals Trump Administration rules that prohibited recipients from referring patients to abortion providers and imposed additional restrictions, which fundamentally precluded Planned Parenthood and other previous recipients, from providing services. 
• “Mexico City Policy” – Repeals Trump Administration restrictions to prohibit NGOs who receive federal funds from using non-federal funds to perform abortions, provide advice, counseling, or any information regarding abortions. 

Resources

EXECUTIVE ORDER TEXT: ACA AND MEDICAID

MEMORANDUM TEXT: WOMEN’S HEALTH

WHITE HOUSE FACT SHEET