Trump administration loosens rules for ACA waivers

The Trump administration is giving states more leeway to waive some of the Affordable Care Act's rules — a move that could ultimately advance some of the same policy objectives Republicans had pursued in their failed repeal-and-replace effort last year.

Why it matters: This revamped waiver process will open the door to more conservative proposals that primarily benefit healthier consumers. States could, for example, redirect the ACA's insurance subsidies toward cheaper, skimpier plans with fewer consumer protections, and away from ACA-compliant coverage.