Hello Fellow Netizens!
Welcome back to another article! This one marks the first of many more to come following the United States’ election of Donald Trump back into the White House. While many outlets have already covered issues such as Trump’s Cabinet appointments and what these individuals might mean for the future of America’s healthcare system, I want to focus on a topic that feels ever-present and likely gives many of us anxiety: uncertainty. Please note that this will be more of a personal post rather than my usual educational format, as I speculate on what the incoming presidency might look like.
Policy Of Uncertainty
When you read this, you may wonder: What do you mean by ‘Policy of Uncertainty’?
This phrase refers to the concept of chaos itself becoming an official policy of the Executive Branch. Uncertainty implies a lack of clarity about the expected outcome; we don’t know how things will turn out, even with all the information available to us at the click of a mouse or the tap of a screen. This is the current landscape of healthcare in the United States following the election of Donald Trump. His victory has ushered in a future defined by unpredictability and chaos. Don’t believe me? Let’s look at some examples, shall we?
Preventative Healthcare
An NPR article published in November of last year made a simple point that connects uncertainty to preventative healthcare in this country:
Trump’s victory will give a far broader platform to skeptics and critics of federal health programs and actions. Public health authorities worry that in a worst case, the U.S. could see increases in preventable illnesses; a weakening of public confidence in established science; and debunked notions — such as a link between vaccines and autism — adopted as policy.
This assumption is based on the fact that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was tapped to be the new HHS Secretary, given his previous political stances during the 2024 presidential campaign (for more information, feel free to read my article on vaccine misinformation).
Looking back at Trump’s first presidential term, his record of sowing chaos in preventative healthcare has been significant. Two major examples include the following:
- COVID-19: Trump’s handling of the pandemic was widely regarded as one of the key factors contributing to his loss in the 2020 election. He held false and often dangerous policy positions that worsened the crisis. For example, he incorrectly attributed the rising number of infections to “better testing.”
- ACA: Trump’s well-known push to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA; also known as Obamacare) was thwarted and memorialized by John McCain’s dramatic “No” vote on the Senate floor in 2017. Repealing the ACA would have stripped medical coverage from over 16 million Americans at the time and removed protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions against discriminatory practices.
In the coming years, Trump’s Policy of Uncertainty appears to be making a full comeback with the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. It remains to be seen whether policies like banning the fluoridation of water supplies nationally will succeed. But that’s the essence of uncertainty, isn’t it?
Personal Predictions
Given that chaos seems to surround Donald Trump, I cannot predict the outcome of any healthcare policy proposals his administration put forward during the campaign. Much of his term will likely focus on Project 2025, a conservative outline written by the Heritage Foundation, which I wrote about during the campaign. While Trump himself claimed he was not entirely in favor of it—at times stating that Project 2025 went too far for his liking—many members of his incoming staff played key roles in crafting the plan. If you want a preview of some of the changes that may stem from this conservative playbook, I highly recommend reading my article (or, if you prefer, check out the video below!).
One thing I am certain of is that this incoming administration will bring significant changes at the federal level, which will likely impact healthcare and slow down critical work such as medical research and policy implementation. Just this past week, NIH Director Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli resigned from her position days before Trump is set to take office. Her potential replacement, Stanford University health economist Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, is a controversial pick due to his advocacy for the benefits of ‘herd immunity’ during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Bertagnolli’s resignation aligns with a broader trend of federal employees stepping down, fearing retribution or attacks from the incoming administration and its Republican Congressional supporters (see this opinion piece for more on the issue). With experienced and qualified federal officials leaving their posts, it is difficult to envision a smooth transition for the Trump administration. Delays to their policy agenda are likely, especially with departures like Dr. Bertagnolli’s and controversial appointments such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Bhattacharya stepping in to replace them.
Cross Your Fingers?
For you Netizens out there who may feel anxious or scared about this incoming administration, know that you are not alone. This era of chaos will open up opportunities for advocacy to improve our healthcare system, starting with you! Docnetizen’s mission is to educate readers like you on matters important to health policy so that you can make better-informed decisions for yourselves. Whether it’s learning about how vaccines work or understanding which policies need change at the ballot box, you can rest assured that Docnetizen will provide the best evidence-based information available for you to access—for free!
I would like to end this article with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. to honor his legacy and mission:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Stay safe and until next time, fellow Netizens!
Featured Image: Photo by Leeloo The First: https://www.pexels.com/photo/question-marks-on-paper-crafts-5428829/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s own opinions and statements. They do not reflect the opinions or stances of any organization affiliated with the author
