Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States, recently announced her choice of running mate. Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, will accompany her on the campaign trail. A Former U.S. Congressman, high school teacher, and a member of the National Guard, Walz is noted for his liberal record and Midwestern charm.
Tim Walz: A Champion for Healthcare Policies
Governor Walz has always been active regarding health issues. He is known for his contributions in capping insulin prices, giving due recognition to abortion access and gender-affirming care, supporting veterans’ healthcare, and opposing hospital consolidation measures. His support for these issues closely resonates with Democratic values, demonstrating unity among party members on critical health matters.
GOP’s Ambiguous Health Plans
In contrast to the Democrats’ clear-cut health policy stance, the GOP’s roadmap is yet to be defined. The party’s nominee for Vice President, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, mentioned in an interview about the possibility of reforming the Affordable Care Act. However, he failed to provide any specific details. This vagueness leaves a lot of question marks over the future trajectories of health policy under another Trump administration.
Rising Abortion Rates Amid Restrictions
On a side note, a recent study has reported a rising number of abortions in the U.S. despite the restrictions in place. This trend appears to be perpetuated by the increasing uptake of telehealth services. Abortion opponents are advocating for more firm measures, even including barring pregnant women from traveling to other states to access these services.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers on the Rise
Interestingly, a separate report reveals the channeling of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to crisis pregnancy centers. This is a clear exhibit of the conservative state legislators’ strategy to fund centers that discourage abortion services. With these contradictory trends coexisting, the future of abortion policies in the US continues to remain uncertain.
Congress Takes a Break
While these health issues are taking the center stage, Congress has adjourned for its August recess without placing the federal government’s funds. With crucial must-pass laws, including extended telehealth flexibilities and pharmacy benefit manager reform in the pipeline, many are betting on the lame-duck session post-elections to take action.
As these matters unfold, we await the second half of the year with immense curiosity. It is going to be a tumultuous ride for health policy makers, with many impactful decisions up ahead.
Panel Recommendations for Further Reading
The panelists recommend a few reads for a deeper understanding of ongoing health issues:
Julie Rovner suggests the JAMA Internal Medicine’s article on access to care among people incarcerated in US Prisons.
Shefali Luthra recommends the KFF Health News’ report on Project 2025 that discusses the hard right turn against abortion.
And Sandhya Raman suggests Hope Hodge Seck’s article on Post-9/11 amputee vets struggling with VA Care.