What does the ACA EO repeal really mean?

The Executive Order (EO), signed on Friday Jan 20, 2017 - just signals that the Trump administration is looking to repeal the ACA quickly.  The Executive Order is clear to state that the executive branch must ensure the law is being followed to minimize any unwarranted financial or regulatory consequences.

The EO directs the heads of each department that has oversight to the law -- Health and Human Services, IRS, Department of Labor, and other agencies -- to ease the fiscal or regulatory burden on states and on individuals and families.  It goes on to say that waiving or not enforcing taxes, fees and penalties as some ways to alleviate the burden.

It also speaks to finding ways for states to implement more state-specific healthcare plans and to encourage the free market purchase of healthcare across state lines.

The agencies can build from this and specifically not implement certain aspects of the law in a future form, e.g.,  they can delay the collection of a tax.  But they cannot repeal a specific piece of the law, as it is set now.

That all said - no one knows exactly what the GOP’s intent is at this point - I don't even think they do..  If/when they do find a replacement (a bare bones outline has been presented today by Senators Collins (R-Maine) and Cassidy (R – Louisiana)), experts say it could take at least 2 years to actually implement.

Next up - what does the GOP have in mind?  - the Collins-Cassidy Bill