HHS Launches Webpage to Empower Patients

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a new page on its website that highlights regulatory and administrative actions it is taking to support a patient-centered healthcare system. The new page is part of a broader plan the current administration has to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

Text on the new page reads: “Within what the law allows, HHS is 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. 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.”

According to HHS, new measures will be announced as soon as allowable by law, including future actions that will:

• Lower costs and increase choices by providing relief from the burdensome regulations and fostering competition in insurance markets;
• Work to ensure a stable transition period;
• Offer states greater flexibility of their Medicaid programs to meet the needs of their most vulnerable populations; and
• Increase the opportunities for patients to get the care they need when they need it.