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Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump’s early actions on healthcare suggest his intention to reverse key aspects of his predecessor Joe Biden’s policies, particularly those aimed at lowering drug costs and expanding coverage under public insurance programs.
Trump’s recent executive orders, issued shortly after returning to the White House, have healthcare policymakers, patient advocates, and health executives closely examining the potential shifts in U.S. healthcare policy. Though these orders are less sweeping than those signed at the beginning of Trump’s first term, they could signal a broader plan to dismantle Biden-era healthcare reforms, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid expansion.
While these early actions are unlikely to cause immediate changes, experts warn that Trump’s administration may take further steps to roll back Biden’s policies, potentially increasing the number of uninsured Americans and eroding safety-net protections for low-income individuals. However, the specifics of his healthcare agenda remain uncertain, as Trump has yet to confirm appointees to key federal health positions, including a controversial pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
On January 20, Trump signed several executive orders, including one to revoke over 70 Biden directives, labeling them “inflationary” and “illegal” while criticizing the previous administration’s health policies. In particular, Trump rescinded Biden’s order aimed at reducing drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for certain medications. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services had been considering pilot programs under Biden’s directive, which could have included price reductions for certain drugs, such as a flat $2 copay for some generics under Medicare.
Trump’s decision to rescind this order may suggest a reluctance to pursue significant drug price reform, despite previous statements supporting the idea of lowering drug costs in alignment with prices paid in other countries.
Meanwhile, other moves, such as halting regulations under development, point to potential changes in Medicaid and Medicare programs. Trump’s administration could revisit policies that expanded Medicaid and examined ways to address non-medical factors, such as housing, that influence health outcomes.
Though Trump’s rhetoric strongly signals the reversal of Biden’s health initiatives, the ultimate direction of U.S. healthcare policy will depend on further regulatory changes and legislative action, which could take months or even years to materialize.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information available as of January 27, 2025. It reflects ongoing developments, and readers should be aware that healthcare policy decisions may evolve with further executive actions, congressional involvement, or public responses.
