Former President Trump's return to the Oval Office saw immediate action on healthcare, rolling back several policies enacted by his predecessor, President Biden. These reversals primarily targeted expansions to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and aimed to restore aspects of the program to its pre-Biden state.
Among the revoked executive orders were two concerning the ACA. One expanded the enrollment period, which had been shortened during Trump's first term. The other directed federal agencies to review policies and implement changes to broaden ACA coverage.
Trump also reversed a Biden order instructing the Department of Health and Human Services to explore policies for reducing the burden of medical debt on families. This order had led to initiatives aimed at easing medical debt collection practices.
Further actions included rescinding Biden's COVID-19 health orders, including vaccine mandates for federal employees and equity-focused pandemic responses. Trump also withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization.
These moves drew sharp criticism from the Democratic National Committee, who accused Trump of undermining healthcare affordability and access, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions. They argued that these reversals would increase costs and negatively impact Americans' health.
However, a health policy expert from Vanderbilt University suggested that the practical impact of these reversals on healthcare costs might be limited. Dr. Stacie Dusetzina noted that such actions are common during presidential transitions, often serving a symbolic purpose rather than significantly altering existing programs.
