Healthcare in the United States

Healthcare in the United States has taken a devastating hit following the election of the current administration. The theatrics in this situation do not even begin to underline how unbelievably bad our healthcare situation has devolved into. But to highlight the most caustic outcomes of this travesty of an administration, we must start at the top: the election of Robert F Kennedy Jr. as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. As a slap in the face to healthcare itself, he is vehemently anti-vax and also peddles misinformation about autism and misattributes multiple illnesses to food dye. It seems outlandish that the head of the Department of Health and Human Services doesn’t believe in tried and true methods of vaccines or the importance of believing and trusting science (reminder RFK Jr. is not a scientist in any respect).

Another astonishing choice is Mehmet Oz, better known as Dr. Oz, appointed to the position of the 17th Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. While he is a doctor, not only does he capitulate to the anti-science rhetoric being pushed by RFK, but he is also complicit in the massive cuts in Medicare and Medicaid that the One Big Beautiful Bill imposed.. However, this is a misnomer, as there was nothing beautiful about this budget.​

A huge blow to those who receive Medicaid, the new work requirements impose a steep barrier to those who need Medicaid– disabled, unable to work, elderly, the list goes on. The new work requirements state that adults between the ages of 19-64 must clock at least 80 hours of work, volunteering, education, or job training  a month to EARN their benefits^[1]. ‘EARN’ being the word of significance here because previously, there were no work requirements in order to receive care. It seems logical– someone who is unable to work and therefore does not have insurance will require some sort of health benefit so they can treat the disease, injury, or disorder they’re struggling with. As far as Medicaid is concerned, it’s not meant to be a lifetime commitment. People will utilize it when needed, and return to their own healthcare when they are able. “BUT WHAT ABOUT–” you cry, with tears muddling your vision. Yes, there are people who abuse the system. According to a report by the Health and Human resources in FY 2024 there were  406 defendants  charged with fraud. 99% of these individuals aren’t actually benefitting off of the system— they’re heads of healthcare corporations and business abusing the system for their own personal enrichment. The numbers of patients benefitting  from the Medicaid system are more ambiguous. For those not snatched up under the guardrails of justice, they will receive a benefit that should be considered universal. And in the opinion of most, nepotism in the form of hiring your friends and sycophants is a more egregious abuse of government, but sure; we can argue about the 1% of people who are – pause for dramatic effect – getting healthcare.

Additional cuts to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention– about 20%) mean that multiple grants to states were denied, and by extension, the HHS (Health and Human Services) was massively slashed. This has resulted in an uptick in outbreaks, such as measles, screw worms, and most recently, cyclosporiasis^[2][3]. The Trump admin has also been holding funds for states hostage based on their political affiliation^[4]. In all respects, this should be illegal. An administration whose motto is “Make America Healthy Again” sure does seem to have a problem distributing funds meant to help with that. This has also extended to those in the fields studying these diseases. Multiple people have been laid off or fired, which inhibits the study by whoever is left. While the numbers are not exact, the intended figure was to eliminate over 20,000 employees from the National Health Service Corps, CDC, Food and Drug Administration, National Institute of Health, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. We have been unable to get a clear understanding of why these agencies were cut. The perception is that it was a form of waste, fraud, and abuse; but what most people fail to realize is that continual study and research enable us to stamp out major diseases before they become a major problem (COVID being an outlier). 

Planned Parenthood

The overall attitude around our healthcare system has been poor, so it’s baffling that people wouldn’t follow the logic that our aforementioned system,  being propped up by these organizations, would necessarily cause further collapse once they are no longer acting as support. Perception here is what the American people are struggling with. Reframing anything with the correct malice will project negativity, even if that organization is performing efficiently. Assertions and lies around women’s healthcare have been especially troubling. 

Women have suffered insult to injury because of Roe v. Wade being dismantled; Planned Parenthood is also being massively defunded. There might be a haughty sigh here proclaiming that it makes sense because "Abortion clinics would be defunded.” However, the truth of the matter is that Planned Parenthood does much more than abortions. In fact, in respect to their overall services, abortion only makes up 11%. Most people entering a Planned Parenthood are seeking an STD test (41%) and contraception (34%). Defunding, therefore, is merely a further slap in the face to women who are seeking means to prevent the pregnancy that might lead to an abortion.

After all of the malice surrounding organizations meant to assist with women’s healthcare the Trump admin has had the audacity to dramatically cut funds to WIC– a problem meant to support women and their children. It is truly remarkable, the dichotomy drawn between both restricting women’s right to choose whether to give birth , but then preventing them from getting assistance after being forced to give birth. These contradicting messages only reinforce the conclusion that there is a deep rooted opposition to women having autonomy.

USAID

By far, the things listed here have paled in comparison to the massive impact the dismantling of USAID has had on healthcare overseas. To remind people of the motive behind the axing of this organization, the Trump administration convinced voters that it was an egregious form of “waste, fraud, and abuse”. These terms are not singularly synonymous, so truly defining which category USAID falls into has been largely ignored. They touted extraneous, unremarkable things USAID was doing for social health (which is still a form of healthcare) and largely ignored the important assistance they were providing to countries that struggle with keeping their citizens healthy. Since its dismantling, a 2025 Lancet model has projected that there will be an additional 14 million deaths^[5]. The diseases USAID was conditioned to treat include AIDS, tuberculosis, pregnancies (where proper OBGYN care is not accessible), and unsafe abortions^[6]. This is not an all inclusive list, as they also offered emergency support to nations experiencing natural disasters and war. This was all because of the false flag belief that healthcare and support of worldwide health is not beneficial to Americans and instead is “waste, fraud and abuse.” They seem to fully disregard the notion that in order for America to stay healthy, they must keep everyone around them healthy. A simple ideology that if unchecked, a virus will spread.

The damage and impact the Trump administration has had on healthcare is insurmountable. While we cannot predict how long it will take to recover the lost jobs, restart crucial research, regain the respect and trust of women,  and reinstate overseas support, we hopefully will be able to rebuild on the scorched earth Trump left behind. However, there is something we can never regain; However, some losses are irreparable: the lives cut short by reckless policies and callous indifference are gone forever. The stain of these decisions, like the blood on Lady Macbeth’s hands, will endure as a permanent mark of this era’s legacy.