Health in the United States: What to expect from the Trump Administration

During his previous campaign for the White House, Donald Trump made promises to roll back regulations established by his predecessor, Joe Biden, and he began to execute them from day one.

His focus on health matters during this new mandate ranges from regulations aimed at reducing health care coststo the spread of the coronavirus, expansions of the Affordable Care Act and protections against gender discrimination.

Some of the big changes expected in the health of the United States:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Secretary of Health and Human Services

Trump appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services. Due to his anti-vaccine stances and public health theories, this position has been questioned by many and 18,000 signatures have been submitted in the Senate to reject his nomination.

Despite the criticism, Trump has expressed confidence that Kennedy Jr. will lead health agencies toward “greater transparency and effectiveness in the fight against chronic diseases.”

Kennedy advocates for reducing pollutants and protecting environmental health. For this reason, regulations are planned for chemical products used in food and the environment.

The now Secretary of Health has reiterated his concern about mental health in the country and assures that it is an “urgent crisis in the country.” For this benefits are expected in the accessibility of psychological care, integrating mental health programs into communities and reducing the overprescription of drugs for mental disorders.

United States exit from the WHO

The 47th president of the United States ordered that the country begin the process of withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO), which he holds responsible for the mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic. This has been regretted by the organization, who claim that together with the nation they have saved millions of lives around the world.

Medicare, Medicaid and drug prices

The mogul also revoked an executive order that prompted the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to create three drug pricing experiments that have yet to fully take off. This would affect these three areas:

• Payment for cell and genetic therapies
• Pay less for drugs that receive accelerated approvals from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Offer generic medications for common chronic diseases for a flat $2 copay.

Covid: treatments and vaccines

Trump reversed several Biden policies aimed at tackling the Covid-19 pandemic and preparing the country for future infectious disease outbreaks. All were issued in 2021 amid the crisis and aimed to boost Covid-19 testing, treatment research, provide economic relief and improve cooperation with other countries in the event of another pandemic.

Affordable Care Act

Trump rescinded Biden’s executive order that provided longer enrollment periods for Affordable Care Act plans in most states and additional funding for third parties that help people enroll in ACA insurance.

Immigration

A report by cnn highlights that Trump’s promise to implement drastic measures against immigration “comes at a time when the United States desperately needs more workers to care for the growing ranks of senior citizens.”

“We have a group of older adults who will live longer than ever and will need and require access to care and services,” said Nicole Howell, director of workforce policy at LeadingAge, which represents more than 5,400 people-services nonprofits. seniors, including nursing homes and home care providers.

Sex and gender

During his inaugural address he revealed a series of health and education policies that establish protections for LGBTQ+ people and transgender people in particular. “From now on the official policy of the United States government will be that there are only two genders, male and female,” he said.

Among the orders rescinded this Monday include a 2022 policy against discrimination against people based on sexual or gender identity that mandated support for LGBTQ+ students and ordered officials to end programs that promote so-called conversion therapy both nationally and internationally.

Likewise, Biden’s orders to promote protections based on sex and gender identity in schools as well as the law to establish the Gender Policy Council, initially chaired by Jennifer Klein, an alumna of the administrations of the Obama and Clinton.

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