Healthcare in the United States is considered a complex and costly issue, with many Americans struggling to navigate this system, making it a top concern in the upcoming presidential elections. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump aim to make healthcare more affordable through campaign promises, but their approaches to achieving this have clear differences. This article discusses the divergences between Harris’s and Trump’s visions regarding drug costs, abortion rights, and the future of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), as well as how each of their policies could impact the American healthcare system in the coming years. Given the ongoing rise in costs and the uncertainty faced by many citizens, it is essential to understand the positions of candidates from both parties and how healthcare services in the country may change based on the outcomes of these elections.
Challenges in Healthcare in the United States
Healthcare in the United States faces enormous challenges in terms of rising costs and complexities. These challenges are among the primary issues affecting citizens’ lives and usually rank high on voters’ concerns, especially with the presidential elections approaching. Healthcare has become a complicated matter, with Americans spending over $4 trillion annually on the healthcare system, yet health outcomes in the country appear poor compared to other high-income nations. A 2023 report from the Commonwealth Fund shows that the United States has the lowest average life expectancy at birth and the highest rates of chronic diseases, reflecting widespread health access issues and individuals’ ability to obtain necessary health services.
Approximately half of Americans consider healthcare costs to be a financial burden, forcing them to incur debt or postpone necessary treatment. There are clear protests against this situation, especially with continued price increases in prescription medications and costs associated with self-care. The policies of candidates in the presidential elections vary, as each focuses on how to address these issues differently. In this context, gaining insight into the proposed solutions from each candidate is essential to understanding what may pertain to the future of healthcare systems in the country.
Proposed Policies by Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris, the Vice President, seeks to implement policies that prioritize health in her agenda. One of the main focuses of her plans is to improve citizens’ access to affordable medications, as she has committed to expanding measures that helped the Biden administration lower healthcare costs. She understands that many Americans struggle to pay for medications, so she plans to extend the cap on monthly insulin costs to $35 for all citizens, not just seniors on Medicare.
Harris’s plans are not limited to medications; they also include defending the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and enhancing the subsidies available to reduce healthcare costs for low-income families. She has also pledged to work with Congress to expand Medicaid to include states that have not yet contributed to its expansion. This program currently covers 81 million Americans, making it essential to maintain this program. If Harris is successful in the elections, significant shifts are expected in the healthcare landscape, centered around improving health opportunities for socially vulnerable individuals.
Donald Trump’s Strategies
On the other hand, Donald Trump presents his own strategies for dealing with health-related issues. Although he has not specified detailed plans, his policy tends to cut federal healthcare spending to reduce taxes and diminish the government’s role in this area. During his presidency, he launched several initiatives aimed at lowering drug costs, but most were either temporary or did not achieve 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 developed countries. However, the current administration rescinded this order, reflecting the difficulty of changing healthcare laws in the United States.
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Trump attempted to import drugs from Canada, where prices are often recorded much lower than in the United States. However, these initiatives required a lot of time to be implemented after weeks of execution. It is worth mentioning that Trump criticized price reduction campaigns, arguing that such practices could lead to reduced innovations in pharmaceuticals and may harm the pharmaceutical industries. Nonetheless, questions arise about his ability to implement effective policies should he return to the White House, especially with the increasing political pressures and legal challenges he faces.
The 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 presidential elections. Both Harris and Trump hold completely different positions on this file. Under the current administration, women’s rights to access reproductive health services have been affirmed, while Trump expresses a largely opposing view. 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 of losing what has been achieved. Reinvigorating discussions on reproductive rights and assisted reproductive technologies will become an integral part of the election campaign’s goals. The issue of reproductive rights and a significant part of health care regarding a woman’s right to choose, thus forms part of a larger package of human rights related to health. Health culture may undergo a significant shift based on the election results, which could affect the lives of millions.
Risks of Lack of Health Insurance in America
The lack of health insurance is one of the main issues affecting many Americans, with statistics indicating that millions live without any form of medical insurance. This situation becomes increasingly complex amid government changes and fluctuations in health policy. The absence of health coverage results in escalating health care costs and individuals being unable to receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner. In the event of a major change such as a Trump administration, additional risks may arise for uninsured individuals. Policies like cutting the Medicaid budget and imposing stricter eligibility criteria could exacerbate conditions for them, increasing the burden on the public health care system and pushing many states in America toward economic and health crises.
For example, health expert Altman notes that a Trump administration may reduce the number of people eligible for Medicaid, meaning that more individuals will lose access to essential health care. Resorting to a “block grant” system that provides states with a fixed budget could have devastating effects on the provision of health care services, as it could lead to funding and oversight shortages, serving only the interests of local governments at the expense of individuals’ health.
The Abortion Issue and Its Impact on Voters
The abortion issue is one of the most controversial topics that significantly impact 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 view access to abortion as a fundamental civil issue. Polls have shown an increase in the number of voters who consider abortion to be the main issue in the elections.
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Kamala Harris is a strong advocate for abortion rights, calling for the enactment of a federal law to protect women’s rights in this regard. She has also encouraged the repeal of the “filibuster” rule in the Senate, which would make it easier for lawmakers with votes to introduce bills that protect abortion rights. Many are calling for the establishment 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 Policy by Trump
There is a clear contradiction in Trump’s positions on abortion, with his policies fluctuating from strict support to attempts to avoid stating a specific stance. While he showcases his support for overturning Roe v. Wade, he suggests that abortion policies should be determined by the states. However, 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 uncertainty about his policies, which may lead voters to question the fate of abortion rights under his leadership. The inability to adopt a clear policy may turn the topic of abortion into a significant point of contention, potentially negatively impacting voters sympathetic to women’s rights to make decisions regarding their own bodies.
Facts about Investment in Infertility Treatment
Both Trump and Harris are concerned with the issue of infertility treatment, particularly in vitro fertilization. Infertility treatment is a sensitive matter that many families care about, but it is extremely expensive, making it out of reach for low- and middle-income families. Infertility issues have gained more attention after American courts recognized the status of frozen embryos as children, affecting the possibility of using fertility techniques in states with restrictive laws.
Trump has praised the idea of covering infertility treatment through government or insurance companies, showing his willingness to address an issue that many families in the country face. Meanwhile, Harris’s repeated statements have indicated the need to defend families’ rights to access these technologies. However, she has not disclosed clear details about how to achieve this, leaving many wondering about 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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