When President Biden took office,he inherited a nation grappling with complex public health crises. From the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating healthcare costs to the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the deepening climate emergency, the challenges were immense. Yet, his administration responded with decisive actions that reshaped key areas like environmental justice, reproductive rights, and healthcare affordability. Here’s a closer look at some of these pivotal achievements.
Tackling harmful Chemicals: A Healthier Future
Table of Contents
- 1. Tackling harmful Chemicals: A Healthier Future
- 2. Lead: A Silent Threat
- 3. Asbestos: Closing a Deadly Chapter
- 4. Empowering Vulnerable Communities
- 5. Biden’s Policy Milestones: Reproductive Rights, Gun safety, and Prescription Drug Costs
- 6. Expanding Access to Reproductive Healthcare
- 7. A Landmark Achievement in Gun Safety
- 8. Tackling the High Cost of Prescription Drugs
- 9. Looking Ahead
- 10. Efforts to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
- 11. Improving Access to Healthcare
- 12. Tackling the Opioid Epidemic
- 13. Looking ahead
- 14. How have President Biden’s policies on environmental justice, reproductive rights, gun safety, and healthcare affordability specifically aimed to improve public health and safety outcomes?
Lead: A Silent Threat
Nearly 9 million American households still rely on outdated lead pipes for their water supply. Recognizing the dangers of lead exposure, notably for children’s advancement, the Biden administration mandated the replacement of these pipes within the next ten years. Lead paint,banned in 1978 but still present in over 31 million homes,also came under scrutiny. The administration classified even trace amounts of lead dust as hazardous, marking a important step in protecting public health.
Asbestos: Closing a Deadly Chapter
One of the standout victories of the Cancer Moonshot initiative was the ban on chrysotile asbestos,the last form of this toxic substance still in use in the U.S. Linked to severe illnesses like lung cancer and mesothelioma, asbestos had been partially banned in 1989, only to see that decision overturned in 1991. This new regulation aligns the U.S. with over 50 countries that have already outlawed the material, signaling a major win for public health.
Additionally, the administration introduced new standards to reduce “forever chemicals” in drinking water,further safeguarding Americans from harmful substances.
Empowering Vulnerable Communities
The Biden administration prioritized narrowing the gap in environmental health disparities. According to Thomas Burke, PhD, MPH, emeritus professor in Health Policy and Management, these efforts “provided communities with infrastructure funds to strengthen resilience to extreme climate events.”
A cornerstone of this initiative was the inclusion of the EPA Community Change Grants in the Inflation Reduction Act. This $2 billion investment, the largest of its kind, supports projects focused on clean energy, climate resilience, and environmental justice. These funds are already making a tangible difference in communities nationwide, helping them confront the dual challenges of climate change and environmental inequities.
Biden’s Policy Milestones: Reproductive Rights, Gun safety, and Prescription Drug Costs
President Biden’s administration has made significant strides in addressing some of the most pressing issues facing Americans today. From expanding access to reproductive healthcare to enacting historic gun safety legislation and reducing prescription drug costs, these policies reflect a commitment to improving public health and safety.
Expanding Access to Reproductive Healthcare
following the Supreme court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade,the Biden administration took steps to safeguard abortion access. The FDA revised its rules, permitting retail pharmacies to dispense mifepristone, a medication used in abortions, with a prescription. This change also allowed the pills to be mailed directly to patients, a significant shift from previous requirements that mandated in-person consultations with certified healthcare providers.
Additionally, the administration reinforced the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), reminding ER doctors of their obligation to perform emergency abortions when necessary to protect a patient’s health. Though, experts like Joanne Rosen, JD, MA, a professor in Health Policy and Management, warn that these protections may be short-lived. “The Biden administration’s guidance on EMTALA was a public health win, but it is indeed likely to go away when Trump takes office,” she says.
despite these efforts,two Supreme Court rulings in 2024 have left the door open for future legal challenges that could threaten access to mifepristone and question the legality of EMTALA.
A Landmark Achievement in Gun Safety
In a historic move, President Biden signed the first major federal gun safety legislation in nearly three decades. this bipartisan bill represents a monumental step forward in addressing one of the nation’s most contentious issues. Among its key provisions are incentives for states to adopt Extreme Risk Protection Orders, commonly known as red flag laws. These laws enable courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others.
The legislation also expands background checks for gun buyers aged 18 to 21 and closes the so-called “boyfriend loophole.” This amendment broadens existing laws to prevent individuals convicted of domestic abuse against dating partners—not just spouses—from owning firearms.
Tackling the High Cost of Prescription Drugs
Americans have long struggled with the highest prescription drug prices globally, a challenge that the Biden administration has prioritized. “This was one of the major issues the American public faced at the start of the Biden administration,” says Gerard F. Anderson, PhD, a professor in Health Policy and Management. “The Inflation Reduction act included four critical components that are lowering drug costs now and will continue to do so in the future.”
- Empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices directly with manufacturers.
- Capping out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
- Limiting insulin prices for Medicare recipients to $35 per month.
- Penalizing pharmaceutical companies that raise prices faster than inflation.
These measures aim to make prescription medications more affordable and accessible for millions of Americans, addressing a longstanding economic and public health burden.
Looking Ahead
While the Biden administration has made significant progress in these areas,challenges remain. The future of reproductive rights, in particular, remains uncertain, with potential legal battles on the horizon. similarly, the fight for gun safety and affordable healthcare continues to face political and legislative hurdles. Still, these policy achievements mark critically important steps toward a healthier, safer, and more equitable society.
Efforts to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
For the first time in history, the U.S. government has stepped in to negotiate lower prices for certain high-cost medications. In August of this year, agreements were reached to reduce prices on ten widely used prescription drugs, including treatments for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. This initiative aims to make essential medications more affordable for millions of Americans.
Starting in 2025, Medicare beneficiaries will see a cap of $2,000 on annual out-of-pocket drug costs, providing significant financial relief. Additionally,the price of insulin for Medicare recipients has been capped at $35 per month,a move that has been widely praised. To further curb rising drug prices, penalties have been introduced for pharmaceutical companies that raise costs beyond the rate of inflation.
Improving Access to Healthcare
Enrollment in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has seen steady growth, reaching a record 24 million participants in 2025. This surge has helped reduce the uninsured rate from 14.5% to 11%, marking a significant step forward in expanding healthcare access.
Enhanced ACA subsidies, introduced under the American rescue Plan in 2021 and extended through 2025 via the Inflation Reduction Act, have made health insurance more affordable for millions. On average, eligible enrollees have seen their premiums drop by 44%, saving $705 annually. However, these subsidies are set to expire at the end of next year unless Congress takes action to extend them.
Tackling the Opioid Epidemic
The Biden administration has taken decisive steps to address the ongoing opioid crisis. Telemedicine rules were expanded to allow easier access to medications like buprenorphine and methadone, which are critical for treating opioid addiction.In December 2022, legislation was signed to simplify the prescription process for buprenorphine by eliminating the need for doctors to obtain a special waiver.
Efforts have also been made to increase the availability of naloxone, a life-saving drug that reverses opioid overdoses. the administration has pushed for its distribution in federal facilities and schools, and recently approved over-the-counter sales of naloxone nasal spray, making it more accessible to the public.
Looking ahead
While these achievements mark significant progress, their future remains uncertain. Potential challenges from the next administration,influenced by a conservative judiciary,could impact the sustainability of these initiatives. Public health advocates will play a crucial role in ensuring that the benefits of these policies are not lost and continue to inform efforts to improve healthcare access and affordability in the United States.
How have President Biden’s policies on environmental justice, reproductive rights, gun safety, and healthcare affordability specifically aimed to improve public health and safety outcomes?
Vements underscore the governance’s commitment to addressing critical public health and safety issues. President biden’s efforts in areas such as environmental justice, reproductive rights, gun safety, and healthcare affordability have laid a foundation for continued progress, despite persistent challenges.
As the administration moves forward, the focus remains on building resilience, equity, and accessibility in American society. The policies enacted reflect a broader vision of a healthier, safer, and more just nation. While the road ahead might potentially be complex, these milestones serve as a testament to the administration’s determination to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time.
The legacy of these initiatives will likely shape the trajectory of public health and safety in the United States for years to come, offering hope and tangible improvements for millions of Americans.
