Hello Fellow Netizens!
As we continue to watch what unfolds under the second Trump presidency, it seems that public health is one sector this administration is focusing on with harsh scrutiny. More specifically, public health has faced significant attacks and setbacks that not only threaten to harm the health of everyday Americans but also affect people worldwide who depend on the United States for medical aid and assistance. This article will examine what the Trump administration has done to our nation’s public health sector, its impacts, and what we can do to safeguard our healthcare system now and in the future.
1. The Trump Administration Withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO)
On January 20th, President Trump announced that the United States was removing its membership from the World Health Organization through an executive order. Trump outlined his reasons for pulling out of the WHO in the following statement:
The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO.
Additionally, the Trump administration has been considering plans to push its ‘America First’ ideology by advocating for the United States to lead the World Health Organization, among other calls for reform, particularly as WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’s term ends in 2027.
In response to these allegations, Tedros assured members at a closed budget meeting last week that the U.S.’s departure was primarily due to concerns about ‘voids’ in information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic—rather than monetary payments—according to a report by the Associated Press. He also refuted Trump’s claims of insufficient reforms, stating that the WHO has implemented multiple changes to its funding model, a point reiterated by the WHO’s director of transformation, Søren Brostrøm.
Withdrawing from the WHO limits access to international resources essential for combating global pandemics like COVID-19, potentially affecting the U.S. public health sector’s response. A study on global immunization initiatives frequently cited WHO data, highlighting the organization’s critical advisory role in national public health strategies. President Trump’s decision to leave the WHO raises concerns for public health in the United States. It remains to be seen whether his administration will reconsider its stance or proceed with its plan to take over the organization.
2. The Trump Administration Halted Federal Funding for Vital Services
In an attempt to exert its influence over federal programming in the United States, the Trump administration released a memo on January 27th ordering a pause on the disbursement of loans and grants for various programs. The goal of the freeze, according to the White House, was to review whether resources were being used for programs that truly aligned with the President’s agenda. This move sparked outrage and confusion throughout the nation, leading to a federal judge issuing a temporary injunction, which ultimately resulted in the memo being rescinded two days later. Some items that were impacted include:
- Medicaid: While the Trump Administration claimed that Medicaid would be spared from the funding freeze, multiple sources have raised instances where Medicaid systems were out of order at the time that the memo was released. Several representatives, such as Sen. Ron Wyden (D) from Oregon, wrote statements calling out cases from their constituents (see below).
- Food programs: Organizations like Nourishing Hope and Meals on Wheels, which depend on federal funding, were forced to contend with a possible future without it, causing panic and concern among their members. Although programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were exempt, confusion over the broad scope of Trump’s freeze has done little to reassure the many Americans who depend on federal subsidies.
With that being said, you may wonder why I included this point when the White House budget office has already rescinded the order. Well, technically, the funding pauses have not been fully lifted. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that the budget office rescinded the memo “to end any confusion on federal policy created by the court ruling and the dishonest media coverage.” However, she stated that the president’s more narrowly tailored executive orders “remain in full force and effect and will be rigorously implemented by all agencies and departments.” Additionally, Leavitt adds:
This action should effectively end the court case and allow the government to focus on enforcing the President’s orders on controlling federal spending. In the coming weeks and months, more executive action will continue to end the egregious waste of federal funding.
In other words, there is a high likelihood that more budget cuts will be announced in the coming months, which could impact important public health services throughout the country. Additionally, it is not guaranteed that this administration or the current Republican Congress will spare some of the programs that were initially exempted. Some Republican members are currently considering cuts to Medicaid spending as part of their plan to reallocate funds toward President Trump’s other priorities in upcoming spending bills—a move that will surely spark outrage among Democrats and Medicaid beneficiaries.
3. The Trump Administration Promoted Unqualified Individuals to Lead an already Unstable American Healthcare System
The above statement may seem extreme, but given our current circumstances, fellow Netizens, I feel it is justified.
In the coming days, the U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation as US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). I have previously written about RFK Jr. in an article on vaccine misinformation, and needless to say, Docnetizen’s stance on his lack of qualifications to lead one of the most vital departments in the U.S. government remains unchanged.
His confirmation hearing last month revealed several troubling details, including his stances on vaccine safety and abortion, his lack of knowledge about our healthcare system (when questioned, he seemed to be confused on Medicare and Medicaid), and his apparent strong support for Trump’s agenda.
NOTE: If you want to watch the full first day of RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearing or scroll through for fact checking purposes, see below. For his second day, click here.
If confirmed, RFK Jr. will have significant influence over how healthcare in the United States operates, from how we respond to epidemics and disease outbreaks to how federal dollars are allocated for medical research. Docnetizen firmly believes in evidence-based medicine and the critical role that strengthening public health infrastructure plays in improving both the cost and quality of care for Netizens like you.
The Senate’s vote will determine the direction we take, keeping us all on edge in anticipation.
So, What Then?
If you’re reading this and want to take action to protect your health or policy interests, here are some ways you can get involved
- Talk about these issues with friends and family – While you may assume that everyone is aware of what has happened, they may not all interpret it the same way. Constructive and thought-provoking discussions foster a healthy environment for debate, whereas fighting or ignoring those who disagree with you does not.
- Contact your local representative – If you live in a swing state or district, your voice as a constituent carries weight. Visit this link to find your representatives so you can send a letter or call their offices. As someone with experience on Capitol Hill, I can assure you, fellow Netizens, that your opinion matters to staffers who rely on voter input to better inform their Congressperson of your needs and concerns.
- Engage in the civic process – If you are eligible and the time comes, go vote! Having elected officials who support your values can make a huge difference in which policies pass through the federal government. If you feel strongly and want to protest, exercise your constitutional right safely and effectively. This WIRED article offers a comprehensive guide on how to protest, and I highly recommend reading it if you are considering this route. Another great resource is this American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) article, which provides information about your rights as an American citizen regarding protest laws.
I hope you learned a lot from today’s article, fellow Netizens! This was a long one, but a lot has happened in the past few weeks, and these were only some of the major health policy developments under the Trump Administration. There will definitely be more articles covering these topics and beyond, so be sure to follow us to stay up to date!
Until next time, fellow Netizens!
Featured Image: Photo by Photo By: Kaboompics.com: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-short-haired-woman-holding-a-pair-of-eyeglasses-4491435/
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
