As former President Donald Trump once again hits the campaign trail, he is doubling down on his previous campaign promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), characterizing “Obamacare” as a “catastrophe.” Trump’s insistence on this campaign goal, which failed the first time, comes at a time when the ACA is more popular and widely used than ever among Americans. Despite his fervent campaign promises, Trump and congressional Republicans were unable to repeal the ACA, nor were they able to come up with a plan to replace it, leading to big losses for the Republican party in the House of Representatives during the 2018 midterm elections.
Trump did accomplish some health-related policy changes during his administration, although whether he intends to move forward with other healthcare-related policy issues in a potential second term is unclear.
COVID-19 Pandemic Relief
Trump’s travel bans, ostensibly to slow the spread of COVID-19, and other efforts were largely ineffective, and there were more than 400,000 American deaths during his final year in office. He ignored public health guidance and held large rallies and campaign events ahead of the 2020 election. Nonetheless, Trump’s “Operation Warp Speed” resulted in the development and release of the COVID-19 vaccine in less than a year during a pandemic, which was a goal that no one expected to reach so quickly. Still, many Trump supporters remained vehemently opposed to the vaccine and efforts to require it.
After threats to veto the much-needed legislation, Trump signed a massive COVID relief bill into law. He also oversaw historic increases in funding to the National Institutes of Health budget.
Abortion
Trump’s supporters credit him with appointing three conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices, which directly led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Since that Supreme Court decision, Trump has been inconsistent in his views on the issue, criticizing Florida governor and one-time presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis for signing a six-week abortion ban into law, yet continuing to court key abortion opponents as supporters.
While in office, Trump instituted several policy changes concerning abortion, all of which the Biden administration has repealed. For instance, Trump reinstated a policy barring the issuance of federal funds to international organizations supporting abortion rights and issued a policy preventing Planned Parenthood and other organizations that provide abortions from Title X, the federal family planning program.
Health Insurance and Public Entitlement Programs
Some of Trump’s policy changes on health insurance, particularly those related to transparency in pricing, remain in place. For example, the No Surprises Act, designed to protect patients from unexpected medical bills resulting from disputes between insurers and out-of-network medical providers, is still in effect. Other price transparency regulations also remain in place, such as the posting of prices by hospitals and estimated costs by insurers, despite questionable compliance by these entities.
Although Trump vowed on the campaign trail not to cut Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, his administration promptly attacked those popular programs. Trump supported legislation that would have made major cuts to the Medicaid program and encouraged states to require Medicaid recipients to work in exchange for healthcare coverage.
Trump also signed a bill into law allowing veterans to seek healthcare outside VA facilities. However, at the same time, the Trump administration opposed the spending necessary to support this initiative.
Prescription Drugs
The Trump administration did make efforts to reduce the price of prescription drugs, some of which were blocked by the courts. A regulation allowing the importation of drugs from Canada did take effect, but the FDA only approved the first importation plan in January 2024. Canada has been reluctant to allow exports of prescription drugs, wanting to avoid a shortage within its own borders.
Trump also signed a law allowing pharmacists to tell consumers when prescription drugs would be cheaper by paying cash rather than using their insurance coverage. Previously, pharmacy and pharmacy benefit manager contracts could prohibit pharmacists from disclosing this information.
Trump also signed the “Right to Try Act” into law, which allows patients with terminal diseases to access drugs and treatments not approved by the FDA. However, the FDA traditionally has granted “compassionate access” to these drugs, and drug companies often will not release unapproved drugs. It is unclear how effective this law has been for the public.
HBL has experience in all areas of benefits and employment law, offering a comprehensive solution to all your business benefits and HR/employment needs. We help ensure you are in compliance with the complex requirements of ERISA and the IRS code, as well as those laws that impact you and your employees. Together, we reduce your exposure to potential legal or financial penalties. Learn more by calling 678-439-6236.
Hall Benefits Law, LLC
Latest posts by Hall Benefits Law, LLC (see all)
- Colorado First State to Place Price Cap on Prescription Drug - November 27, 2025
