Analysis: With House failing to pass health care reform, what's next?

On Friday, the American Health Care Act failed to receive enough support to pass the U.S. House of Representatives, with Republican leadership pulling the bill from the floor before voting.
House leadership has stated it will drop health care reform in the immediate future, opting to focus on tax reform.

Below is an overview of the impact of the news on employers:

What does this mean for Affordable Care Act compliance?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its coordinating regulations and guidance "remain the law of the land," as House Speaker Paul Ryan said Friday. Applicable Large Employers must continue complying with the employer mandate and employer reporting duties, and plan sponsors must continue providing essential health benefits and all other ACA requirements.

Since House leadership has dropped health care from its immediate agenda, employers should not expect a major "repeal and replace" effort in the near future.

What’s next on the health care front?

Without legislative action, the Trump administration will likely use regulatory action to change health care law. Of note: In January, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order tasking Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price with easing the regulatory burden under ACA.

We will stay tuned for regulations affecting ACA and employers. For more on the latest health care legislative developments or other employee benefits matters, contact a Plexus client service team member at 847-307-6100 (Deer Park, Ill.), 312-606-4800 (Chicago), 972-770-5010 (Dallas) or 405-840-3033 (Oklahoma City).