Trump executive order blasts a hole through Obamacare

Following the Republican party's failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act, US President Donald Trump went it alone Thursday, signing a  heavily-trailed executive order that could scupper the legislation.

The order will allow health insurance plans that provide fewer benefits and offer fewer consumer protections, so-called ‘skimpy plans’, as well as allowing smaller businesses to join forces to buy coverage.

It will also allow short-term policies of up to a year in length, extending the current 90-day limit, and empower employers to give staff cash instead of coverage.