Health Policy Under Trump
The potentially reinstated Trump administration’s future impact on health policy is a topic that’s generating considerable buzz. The focus is primarily land on alterations to the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and the nation’s public health system. The level of significant changes Trump executes depends on two major factors. One, who will fill the crucial positions in health policy and two, the outcome of the yet undecided U.S. House majority, which could either be Democrat- or Republican-led.
Panel Discussion on the Future of Health Policy
This week saw KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner, Stat’s Rachel Cohrs Zhang, and Politico’s Alice Miranda Ollstein analyze the possible ramifications of Trump’s return on health policies. They delved into the possible scenarios and how the partisan control of the House could influence future healthcare decisions.
Control of the House: Who Holds the Reins?
As of now, it remains uncertain which party will control the House next year. If Democrats retake the House, they can halt Republican policy changes and manage crucial government oversight committees. If Republicans emerge victoriously, they would have complete control of Congress and the presidency. Regardless of who prevails, the winner will have only a slim majority.
Protection of Abortion Rights
Interestingly, the majorities in eight states voted in support of protecting abortion rights. Despite this, only seven states passed the measures since Florida requires a 60% approval rate for these sorts of measures.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Health Policy Reform
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a pivotal voice in Trump’s transition team, signals significant health policy transformations coming our way. Trump’s Cabinet picks will play a vital role, as Trump seems to be reassigning much of his health policy planning. The president-elect is focusing more on other key issues such as the economy, trade, and immigration.
Expect the Judiciary to Back the Administration
The widespread conservative appointees in the judicial system will likely support Trump’s causes. This paves the way for greater scrutiny of federal policies and general legal challenges. There are significant legal cases already making their way through various courts.
Medical Bill Woes: A Run-In with a Rattlesnake Costs Big
Rovner also interviewed KFF Health News’ Jackie Fortiér, who shared a story about a toddler’s expensive rattlesnake encounter. Such concerning issues further emphasize the need for a serious conversation about national healthcare policies.
Extra Reading: Exploring More Health Policy Stories
Besides their in-depth discussion, the panelists also recommended some interesting health policy stories for their listeners. From stories about the questionable extraction of healthy teeth by dentists seeking profits from implants, to the shifting landscape of global health in light of the recent elections, to the transformation of Catholic hospitals into mega-corporations – there’s a wealth of information to dive into.
In conclusion, the future of health policy under the Trump administration is still fairly uncertain. However, its impact is likely to be notable and far-reaching. But how it plays out depends on several factors that remain to be decided. And until then, only time will tell.