According to a new poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation, most Americans don't realize that the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate was repealed in last year's tax bill — and even fewer know that the law won't officially come off the books until next year. Confusion surrounding the mandate's repeal only added to the surprise when Ohio asked the Trump administration for permission to formally waive the mandate a year ahead of schedule.
If granted, the waiver could make health insurance more affordable for the state — but the potential impact of the administration's decision is much broader. By applying for this waiver, Ohio has brought an important but neglected vehicle for reform back into the spotlight. No matter how it responds, the Trump administration is going to change the way we approach health-care reform in the coming years.
