Health care in the United States is considered one of the complex and costly issues, with many Americans struggling to navigate this system, making it a key topic in the upcoming presidential elections. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump aim to make health care more affordable through campaign promises, yet their approaches to achieving this differ significantly. This article discusses the differences between Harris and Trump’s visions regarding drug costs, abortion rights, and the future of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and reveals how each of their policies might impact the American health care system in the coming years. Amid rising costs and the uncertainty many citizens face, it is essential to understand the positions of both candidates and how health services in the country may change based on the election outcomes.
Challenges of Health Care in the United States
Health care in the United States faces enormous challenges characterized by its rising costs and complexities. These challenges are primary issues affecting citizens’ lives and typically top voters’ concerns, especially with the presidential elections approaching. Health care has become a complicated matter, with Americans spending over $4 trillion annually on the health care system, yet health outcomes in the country seem poor compared to other high-income countries. A report from the Commonwealth Fund in 2023 reveals that the United States has the lowest average life expectancy at birth and the highest rates of chronic diseases, reflecting widespread health issues related to access to care and individuals receiving necessary health services.
About half of Americans consider health care costs a financial burden, forcing them to incur debt or delay necessary treatment. There are visible protests against this situation, especially as prices continue to rise for prescriptions and associated self-care costs. The policies of candidates in the presidential election vary, with each focusing on how to address these issues differently. In this context, viewing the proposed solutions from each candidate is essential to understanding what might relate to the future of health care systems in the country.
Policies Proposed by Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris, the Vice President, seeks to implement policies that prioritize health in her agenda. One of the most critical aspects of her plans is to improve citizens’ access to affordable medications, as she has pledged to pave the way toward expanding measures that helped the Biden administration lower the costs of care. She understands that many Americans struggle to pay for medications, so she plans to cap monthly insulin costs at $35 for all citizens, not just seniors who receive health care through Medicare.
Harris’s plans are not limited to medication; they also include defending the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and enhancing subsidies available to reduce health care costs for low-income families. She also pledged to work with Congress to expand the Medicaid program to include states that have not contributed to its expansion yet. This program covers 81 million Americans, making it essential to maintain. If Harris succeeds in the election, significant shifts are expected to occur in the health care landscape, focusing on improving health opportunities for socially vulnerable individuals.
Donald Trump’s Strategies
On the other hand, Donald Trump presents his methods for addressing health-related issues. Although he has not outlined detailed plans, his policy tends to cut federal spending in health care to lower taxes and reduce the government’s role in this sector. During his presidency, he initiated several initiatives aimed at lowering drug costs, but most were either temporary or did not yield the desired results. One example is the executive order he issued in 2020, which aimed to ensure that Medicare did not pay more than the lowest prices in certain advanced countries. However, the current administration has rescinded this order, reflecting the challenges of changing health care laws in the United States.
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Trump attempted to import drugs from Canada, where prices are typically much lower than in the United States. However, these initiatives required a lot of time to achieve implementation after weeks of execution. It is noteworthy that Trump criticized price reduction campaigns, considering that these practices could lead to a reduction in innovations in the pharmaceutical field and could harm the pharmaceutical industries. However, questions arise about whether he has the ability to implement effective policies should he return to the White House, especially with increasing political pressures and legal challenges facing him.
Impact of Elections on Reproductive Rights and Care
Reproductive rights and care represent one of the sensitive and pivotal issues being discussed in the context of the presidential elections. Both Harris and Trump hold completely different positions on this file. Under the current administration, women’s rights to access reproductive care services have been affirmed, while Trump expresses a largely opposing viewpoint. Harris strongly supports a woman’s right to make decisions about her body, while Trump seeks to promote the end of abortion rights.
While Harris aims to expand programs that ensure reproductive rights, a Trump victory could pose significant risks to what has been achieved. Restarting discussions on reproductive rights and assisted reproductive technologies will be an integral part of the electoral campaign objectives. The issue of reproductive rights and a large part of health care concerning a woman’s right to choose is thus part of a larger package of human rights related to health. Health culture may witness a significant shift based on election results, which could affect the lives of millions.
Risks of Uninsured Health Care in America
Being uninsured is one of the key issues impacting many Americans, as statistics indicate that millions live without any form of medical insurance. This situation becomes more complicated amidst government changes and fluctuations in health policy. The lack of health coverage leads to increased health care costs and the inability of individuals to receive proper treatment in a timely manner. In the event of a significant change like a Trump administration, additional risks may arise for uninsured individuals. Policies such as budget cuts to Medicaid and imposing stricter eligibility requirements could exacerbate conditions for them, increasing the burden on the government health care system and pushing many states in America toward economic and health crises.
For example, health expert Altman notes that the Trump administration may reduce the number of people eligible for Medicaid, meaning that more individuals will lose access to basic health care. Resorting to the “block grant” system, which grants states a fixed budget per state, could have devastating effects on the provision of health care services, as it may lead to funding shortages and oversight, benefiting only the interests of local governments at the expense of individual health.
The Abortion Issue and Its Impact on Voters
The issue of abortion is one of the most controversial topics that significantly affects elections. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the country has witnessed a major shift in how abortion rights are addressed. This shift has deprived millions of women of their rights, and over time, voters in swing states have begun to regard access to abortion as a fundamental civil issue. Polls have shown an increase in the number of voters who consider abortion the main issue in the elections.
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Kamala Harris is a strong advocate for abortion rights, calling for the need to enact a federal law to protect women’s rights in this regard. She has also encouraged the elimination of the “filibuster” rule in the Senate, which would make it easier for lawmakers with the votes to propose bills that protect abortion rights. Many are calling for the creation of laws that clearly affirm abortion rights, especially given the significant influence of state governments in determining these rights, which often go against the interests of women, particularly low-income women.
Confusion in Abortion Politics by Trump
There is a clear contradiction in Trump’s positions on abortion, as his policies have fluctuated from staunch support to attempts to avoid stating a specific position. At the same time he showcases his support for overturning Roe v. Wade, he indicates that abortion policies should be determined by the states. Nonetheless, Trump expresses a vision of maintaining some exceptions, by imposing restrictions on abortion after 15 weeks, and then surprises the public with his supportive stance on abortion rights in certain cases.
These contradictions reflect a state of uncertainty about his policies, which could lead voters to question the fate of abortion rights under his leadership. The inability to adopt a clear policy could turn the issue of abortion into a significant controversy, which may have a negative impact on voters sympathetic to women’s rights to make decisions about their bodies.
Facts about Investment in Infertility Treatment
Both Trump and Harris are concerned about the issue of infertility treatment, particularly in vitro fertilization techniques. Infertility treatment is a sensitive issue for many families, but it is extremely expensive, making it out of reach for low- and middle-income families. Infertility issues have gained more attention after the U.S. courts allowed the classification of frozen embryos as children, affecting the ability to use fertility techniques in states with restrictive laws.
Trump praised the idea of covering infertility treatment through government or insurance companies, demonstrating his willingness to address an issue affecting many families in the country. Meanwhile, Harris’s repeated statements have indicated the need to defend families’ rights to access these techniques. However, she has not disclosed clear details on how to achieve this, leaving many to question the dimensions of treatment policy in the near future.
Source link: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/19/2024-election-trump-harris-plans-on-drug-costs-abortion-obamacare-differ.html
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