President Donald Trump’s recent health policy moves are causing a stir in the healthcare world, as he aims to dismantle some of the initiatives put in place by his predecessor, former President Joe Biden. His flurry of executive orders issued shortly after taking office has left many wondering about the future of healthcare in America.
Trump’s directives, while not as sweeping as those issued at the beginning of his first term, provide a glimpse into his potential agenda. Health researchers are concerned that these actions could lead to an increase in the number of uninsured Americans and weaken important safety-net protections for low-income individuals.
Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, a prominent health policy research organization, aptly summarized the situation: “Everyone is looking for signals on what Trump might do on a host of health issues. On the early EOs, Trump doesn’t show his cards.”
One of Trump’s key moves was the rescinding of several directives by Biden that focused on lowering drug costs and expanding coverage under the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. While these executive orders have symbolic significance, the actual impact remains uncertain, as they may require further regulatory steps to fully reverse Biden’s policies.
Nicholas Bagley, a law professor at the University of Michigan, shed light on the nature of executive orders, emphasizing that they are essentially internal memos prompting agencies to take action. The process of altering established laws like the ACA or Medicaid typically involves more extensive measures that could take months to materialize.
During Biden’s term, his administration implemented changes that significantly impacted healthcare, such as lengthening the ACA enrollment period and increasing funding for enrollment assistance. Enrollment in ACA plans reached record highs under Biden, with over 24 million individuals enrolled for 2025.
Trump’s decision to rescind Biden’s drug order has raised questions about his stance on drug pricing. Joseph Antos of the American Enterprise Institute noted that Trump’s move to end pilot programs aimed at lowering drug prices seemed contradictory to his previous support for tying drug costs to international prices.
In addition to healthcare-related orders, Trump also revoked Biden’s directives on racial and gender equity, raising concerns within the LGBTQ+ community about potential restrictions on gender-affirming care. The administration’s stance on transgender health issues remains a point of contention.
Looking ahead, Trump’s administration is likely to focus on Medicaid, with potential cuts and changes on the horizon. Policy experts anticipate a reevaluation of Biden’s initiatives that allowed Medicaid to cover expenses like air conditioners and meals.
As Trump’s health policy agenda unfolds, the healthcare landscape in America is poised for significant shifts. While his early actions have set the stage for potential changes, the full extent of his impact remains to be seen. As the nation awaits further developments, the future of healthcare in the United States hangs in the balance.
