Biden takes steps to improve access to health care, including reproductive services
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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., is taking executive actions “to restore and strengthen Americans’ access to quality, affordable health care,” according to a statement from the White House.
These actions include an executive order to reopen enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace, available under the Affordable Care Act, from Feb. 15 to May 15.
In a tweet before the executive order was signed, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ action committee commended the president’s efforts.
“We applaud the forthcoming [executive order] from @POTUS reopening the #ACA marketplace, consistent with our recommendations,” the tweet read. “This will allow millions of Americans to get the insurance coverage they need. In the midst of the #COVID19 pandemic, there is no time to waste.”
The AMA also lauded the president’s action.
“We are pleased by the Biden administration’s actions today to bolster access,” AMA President Susan R. Bailey, MD, said in a statement. “Opening the ACA exchanges provide a crucial lifeline at a time when people are losing insurance because of job layoffs as a result of the pandemic.”
In addition to reopening enrollment, the executive order instructs agencies to examine policies that weaken protections for individuals with preexisting conditions, including complications related to COVID-19; demonstrations and waivers under Medicaid and the ACA that may reduce coverage or weaken those programs, including work requirements; undermine the Health Insurance Marketplace or other health insurance markets; make it harder to enroll in Medicaid and the ACA; and reduce affordability of coverage or financial assistance, including for dependents.
“Taken together, these actions will restore coverage to patients who are victims of the economic fallout of the pandemic,” Bailey said.
Biden also signed a presidential memorandum to protect and expand access to comprehensive reproductive health care and immediately retract a global gag rule, known as the Mexico City Policy. The rule, first announced during the administration of former President Ronald Reagan, prohibits international nonprofits that provide abortion counseling or referrals from receiving U.S. funding.
The presidential memorandum also orders HHS to consider rescinding regulations made under its Title X family planning program, according to the website.
“The Title X federal program has been critical to allowing patients to access preventive care services and treatments. Restricting Title X jeopardizes access for vulnerable patients who may have limited or no access to health insurance,” ACP President Jacqueline W. Fincher, MD, MACP, said in a statement.
“Restricting the types of counsel that physicians can provide to their patients is doubly harmful. ACP opposes any restrictions that interfere with the patient-physician relationship,” she added.
References:
ACP. Internists support Biden administration’s actions to begin to improve access to health care. https://www.acponline.org/acp-newsroom/internists-support-biden-administrations-actions-to-begin-to-improve-access-to-health-care. Accessed Jan. 28, 2021.
AMA. AMA statement on President Biden's effort to expand insurance coverage. https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/ama-statements/ama-statement-president-bidens-effort-expand-insurance-coverage. Accessed Jan. 28, 2021.
Kaiser Family Foundation. The Mexico City Policy: An Explainer. https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/fact-sheet/mexico-city-policy-explainer/. Accessed Jan. 28, 2021.
Twitter account of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist’s action committee. Accessed Jan. 28, 2021.
Perspective
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These welcome provisions recognize the primacy of human health rights and seek to stop all layers of personal, commercial and political gain that limit these rights. Those of us who care for patients, teach the next generation of health care professionals and are dedicated to population well-being would recognize the fundamental compassion and justice of these provisions to direct health care, regulators, insurance carriers, and providers to offer equitable care without restrictions. These provisions also reduce restrictions that interfere with the fundamental principles of quality health to the broadest number of individuals in our community and those who seek our support across the globe.
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