Opinion: Fellow Americans, did we sign up for this?

Published 8:41 am Friday, February 14, 2025

Less than a month into the Trump presidency, critical protections and incentives to improve health and safeguard public safety in the United States have been rescinded and a vaccine cynic, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who struggled to answer basic questions about Medicare and Medicaid during his hearing, has been confirmed as Health and Human Services secretary.

There is now uncertainty about the future of Medicaid with the House GOP-led Budget Committee recommending steep cuts in funding to the tune of $880 billion over the next 10 years. Also, included in their reconciliation bill is roughly $150 billion in reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan (SNAP) that helps to provide free breakfasts and lunches to children.

One of President Trump’s first actions was withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization, or WHO. To put this exit into perspective, the world’s population is around 8 billion. The only other country within the United Nations that does not belong to WHO is Liechtenstein, population 40,000.

Trump’s decision impacts far more than just those within our borders. Until Jan. 20, the United States was the world’s top global donor, financing programs ranging from HIV to public health emergencies. As Americans work to regain a sense of normalcy post-pandemic, there are already new threats like Avian flu (H5N1) emerging globally. Withdrawing from WHO comes at an especially critical time as it prevents the United States from accessing vital scientific information that drives the development of vaccines and treatments.

Additionally, President Trump wasted no time in exiting the Paris climate agreement, joining Iran, Yemen and Libya as non-participating countries. Although there has been ample gasoline in the United States, currently selling for an average of $3.25 a gallon as compared to $6 to $8 per gallon in Europe, Trump’s focus on expanding oil drilling — “drill, drill, drill” — will result in increased pollutants entering the atmosphere. Despite global consensus that greenhouse gas emissions drive climate change, Trump refuses to acknowledge that we are facing a climate crisis. Trump signed an order to revoke Biden’s target goal of 50% electric vehicle adoption by 2030, ignoring what we’ve witnessed this past year. Record temperatures have fueled unprecedented weather extremes, underscoring the urgent need for action. We saw catastrophic events including flooding in North Carolina, a snowstorm in New Orleans, and the recent destructive and deadly fires in Southern California, leaving tens of thousands homeless.

Trump justified these policy changes by arguing if China is able to pollute our air, the United States should not unilaterally limit its own industries. His actions directly impact all of us, but especially the 35 million Americans living with chronic lung disease who depend on clean air to breathe.

During his campaign, Trump promised to reduce the cost of living for hard working Americans. He also bragged during his inaugural address he will make America healthy again. Yet, he swiftly signed an executive order revoking the Biden administration’s ability to negotiate drug prices, which was a key part of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Three in 10 Americans struggle to pay for their medications. As nurses, working on the frontlines of health care, we see all too often patients who cut pills in half or skip them entirely in order to purchase groceries or pay their heating bill. The ability to afford medications has not only improved patients’ health outcomes but also led to a $6 billion reduction in spending as reported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It’s not surprising a Kaiser Family Foundation poll conducted in October 2024 found strong bipartisan support with 85% of those surveyed supporting the federal government’s negotiation of the price of prescription medications.

Actions speak louder than words, and President Trump’s pledge, to “make America healthy again” rings hollow. It’s either an empty cliché or a meaningless campaign slogan because his actions so far have directly undermined public health. Every measure he has taken seems designed to erode, not protect, the health and well-being of Americans. Is this what we signed up for?

Actions speak louder than words, and President Trump’s pledge, to “make America healthy again” rings hollow.