Dr. Irving Kent Loh’s Perspective on Trump’s Healthcare Appointments and Policies

Implications of the New Presidential Administration on Healthcare

The recently concluded presidential election now puts a spotlight on what changes the new administration will enact. With the enormous breadth of the U.S. government, delegation is essential. President-elect Trump’s appointees seem to reflect personal loyalty over specific expertise.

Trump’s Choice for Health Services: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Of particular interest is the healthcare sector. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been chosen to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, which has a vast $3 trillion scope including FDA, NIH, CDC, and CMMS. Despite having no healthcare training, Kennedy promises to end chronic diseases, eradicate agency corruption and empower us to make informed healthcare decisions.

Kennedy’s Controversial Views on Vaccines and Health

However, Kennedy is a notorious anti-vaccine advocate, with fringe theories linking vaccines to autism, and fluoridated water to IQ drops. These views, derived from select sources, neglect the full spectrum of credible healthcare information. Unfortunately, laypeople often struggle to accurately interpret complex, multi-faceted health data.

Kennedy’s Stance on COVID-19 and Nutrition

Kennedy previously opposed COVID-19 restrictions, although he now encourages voluntary vaccination. Despite the inconvenience and economic costs of these measures, global health agencies agree that millions of lives have been saved. Also, Kennedy opposes current nutrition labels and proposes the elimination of the FDA’s nutrition department. Instead, he favors addressing unhealthy food production and consumption habits.

Kennedy’s Future Plans for NIH and the Healthcare Budget

Furthermore, Kennedy advocates for half of NIH’s research budget to be allocated to preventive, alternative, and holistic health approaches. His understanding of how NIH-funded basic science forms the foundation for disease treatment appears limited. Kennedy’s goals seem to lie in lifestyle and translational medical applications, seemingly unaware of the origins of this knowledge.

Concerns for the Social Safety Net

With potential cuts to the social safety net hanging in the balance, Americans reliant on Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare may be affected. These cuts are seen as necessary to fund tax-cut extensions and proposals for the ultra-wealthy, further swelling the national debt.

The Potential Impact on the American Economy

Despite the economic progress made under President Biden, the average American is yet to feel these benefits due to the time required for tangible effects to materialize. It’s anticipated that Trump will capitalize on these upcoming benefits, attributing them to his own presidency. Moreover, his known preference for personal loyalty over constitutional loyalty suggests the ensuing years will be dynamic.

The Power of Elections

Nevertheless, the power still rests in the hands of the American people. Democracy affords the ability to shift societal opinion, a mechanism known simply as elections.