Health care in the United States has become a major issue in the upcoming 2024 election, with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump both promising to address the complexities and costs of the system. Their respective plans for health care reform differ significantly, and each has the potential to impact the economy and individuals’ daily experiences with the health care system.
Harris has pledged to strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and expand the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to lower drug costs and improve access to care. During President Joe Biden’s administration, Harris played a key role in passing the 2022 IRA, which introduced new limits on drug price increases and allowed Medicare to negotiate lower prices for certain medications. The IRA also placed a $35 cap on insulin prices and expanded subsidies to help low-income individuals afford better coverage. Additionally, the IRA will implement a $2,000 annual spending cap on prescription drugs under Medicare starting in 2025, significantly reducing out-of-pocket costs for seniors.
On the other hand, Trump’s approach to health care has been more controversial, with a mixed record on the ACA and significant funding cuts to federal health care insurance programs during his presidency. Trump attempted to lower prescription drug costs through executive orders and the Most Favored Nation pricing model, which aimed to align Medicare drug prices with those paid in other developed countries. However, these efforts were met with criticism and were eventually reversed by the Biden administration.
In terms of affordable care, Trump’s administration saw a decrease in ACA enrollment and proposed budget cuts to Medicaid. Trump also allowed states to implement work requirements for Medicaid recipients, a move that has been met with mixed results and increased government costs in some states. In contrast, the Biden-Harris administration has actively promoted insurance enrollment and advocated for the protection and strengthening of the ACA.
When it comes to pandemic preparedness, Trump’s administration created the Coronavirus Task Force and spearheaded Operation Warp Speed to develop COVID vaccines. However, Trump’s handling of the pandemic has been criticized for undermining public health efforts and fueling anti-vaccine sentiment. In contrast, Biden’s American Rescue Plan mobilized the public health response to the pandemic and aimed to reduce racial inequities in health care.
Overall, the differences in Harris and Trump’s health care plans highlight contrasting approaches to addressing the challenges of the U.S. health care system. Voters will need to consider these differences when making their decision in the 2024 election.
