President Trump had to cancel his plan to talk with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about chronic illnesses and their causes under the “Make America Healthy Again” banner due to scheduling conflicts. Even though the interview was canceled, Trump is still involved with the MAHA world, as he is set to tape an interview with Joe Rogan on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast. This move is seen as a way to keep the momentum going within the MAHA movement.
At the HLTH conference in Las Vegas, Casey Means, the founder of Levels, a metabolic health tracking company, discussed her connections with Kennedy, Trump, and MAHA. She expressed her excitement about the conversations around chronic diseases reaching the mainstream level. Means also highlighted Kennedy’s views on various health-related issues.
In other news, Vice President Harris is heading to Texas to campaign with Senate candidate Colin Allred. While Texas is a state she is projected to lose, the visit is aimed at bringing attention to the impact of abortion bans on healthcare. This move is not a strategic attempt to turn Texas blue but rather to reignite urgency in states where Harris could potentially make an impact.
Looking ahead to a potential Harris presidency, there is a breakdown of her platform on various healthcare issues such as high drug costs, strengthening the Affordable Care Act, and expanding Medicaid coverage. These are goals that the Democrats have been working towards and Harris aims to continue this progress if elected.
As the election day approaches, the focus is on the policy stances of both Vice President Harris and former President Trump, with a particular emphasis on healthcare proposals and down-ballot races that could shape future health policies. Several states will be voting on healthcare-related measures and pivotal races that could have significant implications for healthcare at both state and federal levels.
In terms of Medicaid coverage, there is a potential for expanded coverage of GLP-1s for obesity under state Medicaid programs. While most programs currently do not cover these drugs due to their high cost, half of the states are considering expanding coverage. This comes at a time when private plans are also reevaluating their coverage policies for medications related to obesity.
The FDA’s medical devices center will have a new leader, Michelle Tarver, who has been serving in the role temporarily since July. Tarver has been involved with the center since 2009 and has played a key role in launching the agency’s patient engagement advisory committee. Additionally, Jill Biden recently called on the industry to support women’s health and address key gaps in medical knowledge in this area.
Overall, the healthcare landscape is evolving with new leadership, policy proposals, and efforts to address key health issues. The upcoming election will play a significant role in shaping the future of healthcare policies and initiatives in the United States.
