Prior to the dismantling of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a new website identifying aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that required change. The website, headlined with Providing Relief Right Now for Patients, makes a brief summary advising that the HHS will place patients first.
“We are going through every page of regulations and guidance related to the Affordable Care Act to determine whether or not they work for patients and whether or not they are making our health care system better,” the website reads, as well as “taking action to stabilize the individual and small group insurance markets (the markets most affected by the ACA) so that they work better for everyone.”
While the website launched on March 20th – days before the AHCA was removed from the House vote – perhaps it was a foreshadowing of things to come. It’s no big surprise that many wanted to see some changes within the ACA regardless of wishing it be repealed in its entirety. While the HHS has now in bold print expressed placing patients as the priority, this move may very well bring the ACA to the adjusted place it needs to be to work for everyone.
