Trump signs order to roll back US health care law

By Ovunc Kutlu

NEW YORK

In his first policy action as president, Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to roll back the Affordable Act Care, commonly known as Obamacare.

The move helps Trump fulfill a campaign pledge hours after he was sworn in as the 45th President of the U.S. as he instructed federal agencies "to ease the burden of Obamacare," according to White House spokesman Sean Spicer.

The order gives leeway to agencies to use discretion "to the maximum extent permitted by law," while the new administration's official policy will be "to seek the prompt repeal" of former President Barack Obama’s signature heath care law.

Federal agencies, however, are permitted to use their discretion to help individuals, insurance companies, and health care providers.

Trump labeled Obamacare "a disaster" during his campaign, but has not provided alternatives for 23 million Americans currently benefitting from law.

An estimated 18 million people would be left uninsured next year if Obamacare is repealed, according to a report this week by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. That figure would swell to 32 million by 2026, the report said.

Trump also approved a regulatory freeze at all government departments and agencies, according to White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus.