In the exciting final days of the election campaign, there’s a clash between Vice President Kamala Harris and ex-President Donald Trump. The contentious disagreement is about the future of US health care. Important aspects like the access to abortion, potential cuts to the Affordable Care Act, and empowering of activists are at the forefront of the debate.
Between Loose Plans and Preservation
Trump’s team isn’t laying out clear health care plans. However, some Trump allies have revealed outlines that might drastically alter public health agencies. Some plans suggest that Trump could rapidly dismiss officials who challenge his views.
Harris, on the other hand, is focusing on maintaining and safeguarding existing health care pathways. She is focusing on abortion rights, transgender health care, insurance coverage, and more.
ACA Premiums: Vital Changes Ahead
The election result could affect health insurance costs for millions. The stakes are high for those who purchase coverage on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Extra subsidies that reduce premium costs will expire in 2025 unless the next president and Congress take action.
Harris pledges to make these subsidies permanent, but Trump hasn’t made a similar promise. Roughly 19.7 million people with ACA coverage, or a whopping 92% of all enrollees, currently benefit from these subsidies. These subsidies have also reduced premium payments by an estimated 44% for many people.
Abortion Rights at Risk
During his presidency, Trump appointed Supreme Court justices who might vote to overturn the right to an abortion. If he wins a second term, he plans to delegate abortion policy to the states. Harris plans to reinstall Roe v. Wade protections, maintain existing protections, and stop new federal restrictions.
Trump may start his term by taking actions similar to previous Republican presidents. These may include defunding Planned Parenthood and allowing employers to decline contraception coverage based on religious or moral grounds.
Tackling High Drug Prices
Both Harris and Trump are committed to reducing drug prices. Harris plans to expand drug pricing negotiations and implement out-of-pocket spending caps. Trump has been vague on details, though his allies propose a less aggressive approach.
Relevance of Transgender Health
The election could greatly impact transgender healthcare. Trump plans to make certain gender-affirming treatments more challenging to access. Amidst contrary state legislation, the Biden administration expanded coverage and funding for gender-affirming care.
Without detailing her plans, Harris has committed to providing equal rights to transgender Americans.
Medicaid: A Concern for Millions
Medicaid, a crucial program for approximately 80 million primarily low-income and disabled Americans, hangs in the balance. While Harris wants to enhance Medicaid, Trump views it as a flawed welfare system needing cost cuts. Medicaid constitutes a significant portion of health coverage for children and births nationwide.
Eyeing Biomedical Agencies
Trump has hinted at shaking up top biomedical agencies and allowing anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take over. Kennedy’s influence, if realized, could bring about a drastic overhaul to prominent institutions such as the NIH, FDA, and CDC.
In summary, this election could truly reshape the face of American health care. Everything, from ACA premiums, abortion access, drug prices, transgender health, Medicaid, and biomedical agencies, could experience monumental changes. The future policies would hinge greatly on who grabs hold of the White House in this decisive electoral showdown.