While the future remains uncertain, numerous insights can be gleaned from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s advisory role alongside Donald Trump, particularly with his commitment to aid in making America healthier again. This is further reflected in Trump’s comprehensive Agenda 47 and the Project 2025 document—a substantial, 500-page policy initiative authored by the Heritage Foundation aimed at fundamentally transforming the federal administration. Though Trump has sought to distance himself from this expansive blueprint, he nonetheless maintains various connections to many of its original designers, several of whom were involved in his previous administration as well as his campaign and transition teams.
Presented below is an overview of potential health-related changes that the United States could soon experience, as indicated by these two pivotal documents.
Trump may ban abortion pills and so-called “abortion tourism”
The Trump administration, without providing extensive detail, has stated its intention to “opposed late term abortion,” as laid out in the official GOP platform linked through Trump’s succinct Agenda 47 points. The administration plans to approach this issue “while supporting mothers and policies that promote prenatal care, access to contraception, and IVF treatments.”
Project 2025 articulates an even broader agenda, proposing that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cease “promoting abortion as health care.” The document suggests a blanket prohibition on any research and vaccine development activities involving embryonic or fetal stem cells. Furthermore, it requires the Department of Health and Human Services to deliver comprehensive statistics regarding the number of abortions conducted, including details such as gestational age, reasons for the procedure, the mother’s state of residence, and the methodologies employed. This push is prompted by the assertion that “liberal states have now become sanctuaries for abortion tourism,” echoing a conservative narrative regarding the progressive influx of women—estimated at 171,000—who have crossed state lines to obtain abortions or abortion medications following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The proposals in Project 2025 extend to calling on the FDA to retract its approval of abortion pills, halt “mail-order abortions,” and disallow Planned Parenthood from accessing Medicaid funds, firmly stating that “abortion is not health care.” In stark contrast, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), along with the World Health Organization, contend that abortion constitutes an “essential” component of health care.
Trump wants to further restrict the rights of transgender individuals
In Agenda 47, it is proclaimed, “Republicans will end left-wing gender insanity.” The administration explicitly promises to “keep men out of women’s sports,” aimed at preventing transgender women and girls from competing in events that correspond with their gender identity. Moreover, it seeks to “ban taxpayer funding for sex change surgeries,” jeopardizing essential procedures for those who depend on state support. Additionally, the agenda intends to “stop taxpayer-funded schools from promoting gender transition.” This encompasses potential limitations on student access to bathrooms that match their gender identity, as well as school staff being barred from discussing gender transitions with students without parental notification.
Trump commits to cutting federal funding for any educational institution “pushing… radical gender ideology,” which GLAAD describes as a deceptive concept that wrongfully portrays LGBTQ individuals—particularly trans persons—as part of an ideological campaign rather than acknowledging their inherent identities. Furthermore, he emphasizes intentions to “reverse Biden’s radical rewrite of Title IX Education Regulations,” which took effect in August and broadens Title IX protections to encompass LGBTQ students and increases protections against sexual harassment within educational settings.
The agenda also includes a pledge to present Congress with a bill stipulating that the U.S. government recognizes only two genders—male and female, assigned at birth. Additionally, Trump plans to investigate “Big Pharma” and extensive hospital networks to scrutinize their marketing practices concerning hormones and puberty blockers used in gender-affirming care for minors suffering from gender dysphoria, despite the latter being utilized for early onset puberty for decades. It’s important to note that while these puberty blockers, commonly used for medical reasons, are not officially sanctioned for gender-affirming treatment, their off-label use is legal and prevalent; furthermore, despite endorsements from major medical organizations, gender-affirming care for minors is currently banned or heavily restricted in 20 states.
Seniors could face more expensive Medicare
Trump assures that he “will not cut one penny from Medicare,” and expresses intentions of working collaboratively with seniors to encourage their engagement in healthy, active lifestyles.
Although Project 2025 does not advocate for cuts to Medicare directly, some strategies proposed within the plan could feasibly raise costs for beneficiaries. Notably, it suggests transitioning Medicare Advantage into the default plan, which would culminate in the termination of the Medicare Part D price negotiation program—consequently leading to the privatization of the program. Critics, including the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), argue that there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that Medicare Advantage yields superior patient outcomes when compared to conventional Medicare. Although the Project 2025 proposal suggests cuts to Medicaid, it stops short of advocating for its complete dismantlement.
Through the GOP platform, Trump aims to “protect seniors” by fostering “increased focus on chronic disease prevention and management, long-term care, and benefit flexibility.” Additionally, the outline notes a commitment to “expand access to primary care” and support measures that would assist seniors in remaining in their homes while maintaining financial stability. This includes a particular focus on enhancing “at-home senior care,” addressing the issue of care worker shortages, and providing tax credits to support unpaid family caregivers.
Trump wants an end to drug shortages, with more accountability for “Big Pharma” and the CDC
Trump’s agenda includes a pledge to end pharmaceutical shortages and to “return the manufacture of life-saving drugs to the United States,” reminiscent of his 2020 initiative under Executive Order 13944. He emphasizes that “American doctors should never have to give a patient a drug from an unapproved facility in China or India,” advocating for the domestic production of essential medications.
Moreover, Trump’s policy agenda aims to ensure that the pharmaceutical industry is held accountable for the surge in chronic childhood illnesses. Although he does not provide specific details, he also underscores a commitment to addressing the pharmaceutical industry’s role in the drug addiction crisis, particularly regarding opioids.
Project 2025 presents proposals aimed at reducing prescription drug costs. Specifically, the report indicates that the FDA should intervene to prevent pharmaceutical companies from delaying the release of generic drugs already within their legal rights to market. This strategy often involves brand-name manufacturers employing tactics to block generic competitors from entering the market, according to the Commonwealth Fund, which seeks to enhance the overall quality of U.S. healthcare.
Additionally, Project 2025 intends to disentangle the CDC from what it deems an unhealthy practice of accepting contributions from pharmaceutical companies—a practice that has persisted since the 1990s, facilitated through the loophole of the nonprofit CDC Foundation.
The document notes that “From 2014 through 2018, the CDC Foundation garnered $79.6 million from pharmaceutical corporations such as Pfizer, Biogen, and Merck,” a practice perceived as a significant conflict of interest requiring immediate ban.
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How might Trump’s health policy proposals impact senior citizens and families with chronic illnesses?
Details on how he would achieve this, he indicates a desire for increased scrutiny and regulation of pharmaceutical companies, particularly regarding their pricing and access to medications. By advocating for more accountability, Trump seeks to reassure the public that he prioritizes their health and financial well-being, especially when it comes to accessing necessary treatments.
the intersection of Trump’s health policy proposals, such as the plans for Medicare and the pharmaceutical industry, reflects a broader campaign to appeal to senior citizens and families affected by chronic illnesses. While the promise of retaining Medicare funding resonates with voters concerned about healthcare access, the proposed changes to Medicare Advantage and accountability measures for Big Pharma may elicit mixed reactions based on constituents’ individual experiences with these systems. As healthcare continues to evolve in America, these discussions will play a crucial role in shaping future policies and the voting landscape.
