Biden Day Seven – President Biden Takes Executive Action to Strengthen the Affordable Care Act and Other Healthcare Programs
Client Alert | 2 min read | 01.28.21
Today, President Biden signed an executive order and published a presidential memorandum seeking to improve access to the health insurance markets created by the Affordable Care Act, reverse certain Trump Administration healthcare policies, and to protect access to reproductive health services. The action comes on the seventh business day since the administration took office, a day dedicated to addressing broad healthcare issues, as opposed to the more acute pandemic measures that were taken on days one and two. Although not sweeping policy changes, President Biden signals ownership of the Affordable Care Act, which he as President Obama’s vice president shepherded, and rings in a new era of leadership that seeks to strengthen the law rather than repeal and replace it. The following is a summary and link to each of today’s actions:
1. Executive Order – Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Outlines steps to reverse Trump Administration policies related to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and improve access to health insurance coverage.
- ACA Exchange Special Enrollment Period: Directs the Department of Health and Human Services through the Healthcare.gov site to establish and open a Special Enrollment Period from February 15, 2021 – May 15, 2021.
- Reversing Trump Administration Policies: Directs federal agencies to examine actions taken by the previous Administration that they deem to have impeded access to healthcare or health insurance by reconsidering policies related to: preexisting conditions, Medicaid work requirements, health insurance marketplace marketing, health insurance marketplace and Medicaid open enrollment, and access to financial assistance for insurance coverage.
- In addition to the actions outlined above, President Biden has directed relevant agencies to make recommendations to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and other public health insurance programs to expand access to coverage and services.
2. Presidential Memorandum – Protecting Women’s Health at Home and Abroad. Seeks to support national and global access to reproductive services by rescinding the Mexico City Policy, that blocks U.S. funding to non-profits that provide abortion counseling or referrals and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to consider rescinding additional regulations under its Title X family planning program.
Remarks by President Biden at Signing of Executive Orders Strengthening Americans' Access to Quality, Affordable Healthcare | The White House
Contacts
Partner & CHS Managing Director
Insights
Client Alert | 4 min read | 08.29.25
Gender-Affirming Care Targeted for Potential False Claims Act Enforcement
On August 19, 2025, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) informed insurers participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits or Postal Service Health Benefits programs that gender-affirming care would no longer be covered for federal workers starting in 2026. This coverage decision is the Trump Administration’s latest action stemming from Executive Order 14187 which aims to prevent certain treatments, such as gender-affirming hormone therapy, surgeries, and puberty blockers for those under the age of 19. As previously discussed, the Administration has also signaled its intent to use various law enforcement tools against gender-affirming care, including Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act to police false or unsupported claims by medical professionals about gender-affirming treatments.
Client Alert | 4 min read | 08.28.25
9th Circuit Marches Forward to the Future Finding Digital Assets Are Protected Under Trademark Law
Client Alert | 2 min read | 08.27.25
CPSC Maintains Momentum on eFiling Requirements for Consumer Products
Client Alert | 10 min read | 08.27.25
The New EU “Pharma Package”: Advertising – A Comparison of Commission/Parliament/Council Positions
