/>iFirst Official Week of Trump 2.0
President Trump officially began his second term yesterday. He briefly discussed healthcare in his first inaugural speech, committing to tackle chronic disease and keep children safe, healthy, and disease free. He also signed several executive orders, with fewer than expected directly focusing on healthcare on day one.
It is important to note that executive orders generally are not immediately effective; rather, they initiate a longer process and require additional steps before they can be enforced. Executive orders generally signal values and future plans, but they can be challenged in court. Thus, we need to be precise when looking at executive orders and their potential implications.
Yesterday, President Trump used executive orders to rescind several Biden-era policies, including some related to diversity, equity, and inclusion; climate; and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also issued an order to begin the process of withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization, referencing the organization’s “mishandling” of COVID-19. This process could take up to a year to go into effect.
President Trump also revoked President Biden’s 2022 executive order on lowering prescription drug costs. This revocation did not stop prescription drug pricing initiatives that are moving forward at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, but we’ll need to watch closely any next steps that may stem from it.
President Trump also ordered federal employees to return to in-office work full time, limited the release of new regulations, and froze federal hiring, although he specified that Medicare won’t be adversely impacted. He named Dorothy Fink, MD, as the acting Health and Human Services secretary, while we await the nomination hearings for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In health-related legislative news this week, the Senate Committee on the Budget will hold a hearing for Russell Vought’s nomination to become director of the Office of Management and Budget. The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health Oversight will hold a hearing on community care for veterans. The House Committee on Rules will also meet on items for potential suspension and may consider an abortion-related bill later in the week.
This is only day two of the Administration, so we know that there will be much more healthcare policy to come.
Today’s Podcast
In this week’s Healthcare Preview podcast, Debbie Curtis and Rodney Whitlock join Maddie News to discuss Day One actions by President Trump, including what to take away from his first executive orders and what is still to come for healthcare.
