Health care sector gears up for the second Trump administration

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Following Donald Trump’s 2024 election win to secure a second term in office, sectors such as health care are gauging what his victory will mean for their industry over the next four years — and beyond.

As with a number of topics on the campaign trail, such as immigration, the economy, national security, and more, Trump spoke often about the need to upend the health care industry. He joined forces with longtime skeptic of big pharma, big food, and vaccines, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. promoting a message of MAHA (Make America Healthy Again).

On Nov. 14, Trump nominated RFK Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees several federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health.

“For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health,” Trump wrote in a Nov. 14 post on Truth Social announcing the RFK pick.

“The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic — and to make America Great and Healthy Again!”

That nomination was followed by the selection of Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator and the nomination of Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a fierce critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates, to lead NIH.

Other key Cabinet selections in these areas include Dr. Marty Makary to helm the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for Surgeon General, and Dave Weldon to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So what does this all mean in practical terms for the health care industry?

“The Trump administration is expected to shift toward deregulation and a market-driven system that could alter the landscape of health care policy in a manner reminiscent of his previous term while also addressing contemporary conservative priorities such as the ‘America First’ agenda,” PwC wrote in a post-election analysis of the potential health care agenda. “The administration is likely to prioritize reducing federal oversight and regulatory burdens, aiming to foster competition and innovation.”

PwC noted that while the primary focus of the administration may not focus on health care during the first 100 days, Republican leaders have cited both the cost of health care and health care transparency as priorities to be addressed.

“Likewise, comments from President-elect Trump in late October indicate strong interest in addressing chronic disease and introducing reforms to the FDA such as addressing funding from User Fee Negotiations. As such, we may see movement during early days of the term; the exact approach is unclear,” PwC explained. “The Trump campaign also outlined a series of initiatives aimed at reshaping various aspects of the health care industry and broader economic policies that could become administration priorities. These initiatives can be grouped into four primary buckets: deregulation, flexibility/choice, accessibility, and national security.”

Following the election outcome, a number of the industry’s top trade groups and associations expressed a desire to work with the new administration.

“The AHA and America’s hospitals and health systems congratulate President-elect Trump and look forward to working with him and his incoming administration to make progress on the many critical issues facing the health care field and the patients and communities we proudly serve,” the American Hospital Association said, pointing to priorities such as ensuring access to coverage, enhancing the quality and affordability of care, and more.

“We stand ready to work with the new administration and Congress to strengthen health care for all people by protecting Medicaid and other programs that help working families and others stay well and productive,” America’s Essential Hospitals said in a statement.

The reality is that the situation is complicated — as several of the potential appointees have been critics of the very agencies they are leading and have vowed radical changes, which creates a tricky environment for organizations to navigate.

Many of the sources and organizations that BridgeTower Media spoke with for this story were in wait-and-see mode as things play out — with many opting not to speak on the record about the fluid situation.

Those who did are hopeful of finding common ground on key issues.

“Northwell looks forward to working with the incoming administration in public awareness and education efforts aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and raising health for all,” New York-based Northwell Health told BridgeTower. “That obligation is a core mission of all of America’s health care providers.”

BioNJ is New Jersey’s life sciences trade association, dedicated to discovering, developing and delivering life-changing medicines that bring hope to patients and their families worldwide.

“During the last Trump administration, BioNJ worked closely with federal partners to advance policies that foster innovation, support patients, and sustain our industry’s global leadership,” said Debbie Hart, BioNJ president and CEO. “We are committed to continuing this collaboration with the incoming administration and Congress to address the challenges facing our ecosystem, drive breakthrough innovation, and ensure that every patient has timely access to effective treatments and that U.S. economic competitiveness and national security are bolstered. Because Patients Can’t Wait.”

“There’s a lot at stake for American health care — and American health — in the Presidential transition,” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, a public health expert from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “As the priorities and actions of the new administration come into focus, I hope that policy choices are made with the public interest in mind and evidence of what works and what does not close at hand.”

Matthew Fazelpoor is a staff writer for NJBIZ. Contact him at [email protected].