How President Donald Trump Will Affect US Healthcare & The Food Supply
Yesterday, the entire world watched with baited breath to see who would take over the presidency of the United States. Anxiety was high across the nation as the numbers climbed for both parties, but Donald Trump triumphed against Hillary Clinton, becoming the 45th President of the United States.
While we are certainly not here to push any political agenda or opinions about either of the candidates, today we’re looking at what Donald Trump has in store for the US healthcare system and the food supply, and how at the end of the day, your health is still in your own hands…
The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
While Hillary planned on expanding the act, making Obamacare available to more people with a public health care policy option, expanding Medicaid, making enrollment easier, and letting people over the age of 55 buy into Medicare…
Donald Trump plans to axe the Affordable Care Act and bring in free market reforms to the industry. Medicaid will be turned into a block grant program, drug providers will find it easier to enter the free market so more drugs can be imported from overseas, and he aims to increase transparency from healthcare providers regarding their prices – making it easier for people to shop around.
Plus, he wants to offer people the option to use tax-free Health Savings Accounts to pass onto their heirs and allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns.
Mental health doesn’t appear to be too high on Donald Trump’s to-do list, but he would like to “increase the number of mental health care providers at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, while at the same time, encourage [people] to seek mental health care outside of the VA”, though, it was not clear how this would be paid for. Trump also said that mental health care reforms must be part of larger, more general healthcare reforms. Similar to Hillary Clinton who had planned on implementing a comprehensive mental health care program that treated the “whole person”.
Abortion Rights
Donald Trump has made it clear that he’s anti-abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and mother endangerment. Stating that the doctors performing abortions should be punished. A stark contrast to Hillary’s stance in favor of making abortion accessible to women, with the clear belief that “politicians have no businessinterfering with women’s personal health decisions.”
GMO Foods
Donald Trump does not support labeling foods made with GMOs. And judging from his agribusiness-friendly agriculture advisory council, it’s unlikely that he would be restricting their developments. This is no different to Hillary, who supported GMOsto help feed the hungry, however, she did support GMO labeling to increase awareness.
Farming And Sustainability
There was no real mention of food, agriculture, or rural community support, however, his agricultural advisors include industrial agriculture advocates, including senators, governors, state agricultural commissioners, and agribusiness executives. Highlighting that it’s unlikely any changes will occur in this area, and Big Agriculture will remain, including feedlots and factory farms.
The opposite of Hillary, who had aimed to develop a plan for a strong local and regional food system, doubling funding for the Farmers Market Promotion Program and the Local Food Promotion Program to expand food hubs, farmers markets…and “to encourage direct sales to local schools, hospitals, retailers and wholesalers.”
Access To Healthy Foods
Donald reportedly wanted to cut federal assistance programs, including SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, previously known as food stamps). However, this was clarified later on by a senior advisor for the Trump campaign, that Donald would not remove the benefits. Yet, there was also no discussion of improving them.
Hillary, on the other hand had pledged to “expand…SNAP recipients’ access to fresh foods.” Through Vilsack, the USDA has begun a variety of programs to encourage SNAP users to purchase more fresh food, such as doubling their value when used to purchase food at farmers markets and enabling CSA share purchases.
The Power Is Still In Your Hands!
Regardless of Donald Trump being the new President, and for the most part, even if Hillary had got elected, the reality is that your health is still in your own hands! You have the power of choice in your day-to-day decisions, and despite who is in charge of the country, you have the ability to influence your own health, every single day.
Remember the foundational acts of self-love and wellbeing:
-
Fuel your body with nourishing fresh foods,
-
Eat local and shop organic where possible,
-
Reduce your exposure to toxicity in your daily environment,
-
Move your body,
-
Get out in nature,
-
And practice mindfulness and stress management techniques such as yoga and meditation.