HHS seeks to expand non-Obamacare plans

WASHINGTON—The Trump administration proposed new rules Tuesday that would expand access to short-term insurance plans previously restricted under the Affordable Care Act. The Health and Human Services (HHS) Department wants to allow short-term health plans cover individuals for up to 12 months, lifting restrictions set under the Obama administration that limited short-term plans to 90 days. Many Obamacare supporters oppose the move because the short-term plans allow insurance providers to circumvent parts of the Affordable Care Act, including Obamacare’s restrictions on making patients with pre-existing conditions pay more for their coverage. The short-term plans also don’t provide coverage for everything required under Obamacare plans. But HHS Secretary Alex Azar argued Americans need cheaper healthcare options. “The status quo is failing too many Americans who face skyrocketing costs and fewer and fewer choices,” he said in a statement. “The Trump administration is taking action so individuals and families have access to quality, affordable healthcare that works for them.” Congress failed to pass a repeal of Obamacare last year. The latest proposed rule change follows a directive from President Donald Trump in October for HHS to find ways to circumvent parts of the law.