What Pharmacists Need to Know About President Trump's Health Care Executive Order

Officials with the White House announced Thursday that President Trump signed an executive order that allows sales of insurance across state lines.

Here's what pharmacists need to know about the order:

The order directs the Secretary of Labor to consider expanding access to Association Health Plans (AHPs), which could allow American employers to form groups across state lines.

Employers participating in an AHP cannot exclude any employee from joining the plan and cannot develop premiums based on health conditions.

The order allows for a broader interpretation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which could, according to a White House statement, "potentially allow employers in the same line of business anywhere in the country to join together to offer health care coverage to their employees," in addition to expanding coverage through short-term and low-cost limited duration insurance (STLDI).

President Trump's campaign promises to repeal the ACA have thus far failed to garner enough support in the Senate, with the Graham-Cassidy bill being the most recent failure.

Changes in the order are likely not to take place for months, according to various news reports, which noted that the order is now open for public comments.