Trump signs executive order on health care—live updates
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told reporters earlier Monday the order is aimed at making sure patients can access an explanation of their benefits ahead of a medical visit — including the cost of a procedure, the insurance-company negotiated price, and what they will pay out of pocket. As it stands, most patients only learn the actual costs weeks after when they’re billed, as most people who have ever gone through any medical procedure know.
“What we’re saying is you’ve got a right to know that information before the service,” one senior administration official said on a conference call with reporters Monday morning.
It’s unclear how the executive order would be enforced — it’s likely to face some blowback from many insurers and hospitals.
The health care executive order comes shortly after Mr. Trump announced new sanctions on Iran, this time on its supreme leader and his office, over multiple Iranian actions the U.S. interprets as aggressive and dangerous. Last week, Mr. Trump ordered a cyber attack to retaliate after Iran shot down a U.S. drone.
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