The 2024 election was a high-stakes battle that ended with Donald J. Trump the victor. As part of his campaign, the president-elect advocated for strong changes across the US healthcare sector. Now, the market braces to see what changes will be made, when they go into effect, and how they will affect the health and wellness of U.S. citizens. Here’s everything you need to know about the sweeping healthcare reforms expected to occur nationwide.
Changing the Nation’s Nutrition and Consumption Habits
Changing the nation’s nutrition and consumption habits was a core component of the Trump campaign’s message. During his many rallies, Trump made some big promises to the country. He swore to appoint strong supporters who were ready and willing to make hard changes to improve the nation’s health, including preventive care, primary care, and community-based services.
Robert Kennedy Jr. on Health and Wellness in the U.S.
One of the biggest changes will occur if Robert Kennedy Jr. is given a position in the US healthcare system. Kennedy is a strong supporter of Trump and has been a bit of a controversial figure over the last decade. For one, he is well known for his anti-vaccination stance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kennedy Jr. was vocal about his distrust of the vaccine. He repeatedly called the process of creating the new experimental vaccine rushed and lacking the traditional checks and balances found in previous vaccine trials. He has also stated that if appointed to a prominent role in Trump’s healthcare cabinet, he would provide more transparency regarding the vaccine, its side effects, and alternatives.
Health and Wellness in the U.S.
Kennedy Jr. has put forth some interesting health care policies that could provide comprehensive coverage to US citizens by reducing waste and repurposing funding and efforts were needed. Specifically, he has stated that he would push for lower drug prices on life-saving treatments. Specifically, he supports a single-payer healthcare system, allowing the government to negotiate drug prices with medicare providers directly and cutting bloated US healthcare organizations.
Source – Axios
FDA under the Gun
Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly pointed out the FDA’s (food and Drug administrations) errors and inability to help curb obesity in the US. He stated that the US healthcare system was broken and unable to protect citizens. In response, he plans to cut the FDA’s size and institute sweeping changes.
The popular Republican senator stated that he would focus on removing poison from the food supply. As part of this strategy, he seeks to limit corporate influence and introduce special programs focused on the youth. Additionally, he would ban all pharmaceutical advertising, which is seen by many analysts as one of the main reasons why drug prices are higher.
Health and Wellness in the U.S. Concerns
Several groups have voiced concerns about a potential Kennedy Jr. appointment to office. They believe that the candidate is not qualified to handle the job as he has no medical health degrees and has frequently made public statements that seem to suggest he has very little understanding of the subject.
US Health Standards vs the World
The US has seen a steady decline in its health standards and ranking globally over the last few decades. There are many reasons for the comparative decline in health. For one, the US is alone in being a fully industrial nation with no universal healthcare. In the US, a for-profit healthcare system is in place, which has left the country falling in global healthcare statistics.
The US ranks lower than most industrialized nations with similar economics. For example, Australia offers its citizens universal healthcare via a publicly funded organization that ensures all Australians gain access to lifesaving treatments when needed. This approach is in stark contrast to the US, where you will foot the bill for your healthcare needs in most instances.
Also, the US continues to get fatter, according to various reports. Some studies have found that around 40% of US residents have a BMI (Body Mass Index) higher than 30. Your BMI measures your body fat percentage. It takes into account your weight and height, enabling providers to better categorize patients’ weight comparatively. In comparison, Japan has an average BMI of just 5%. Even in EU nations where the cuisine is known to be fattening, like Italy, the population still has an average BMI of only 20%.
Spending and Costs of Health and Wellness in the U.S.
Another area in which the US healthcare system is losing big time is spending. The cost of staying healthy or receiving proper health care in the US is much higher than in most industrialized nations. Per capita, the US citizen healthcare costs sit at around $12,318, which is slightly down from the 2022 statistics of $13,493 during the pandemic. However, this rate is expected to increase by as much as 5% this year.
These high rates mean that the average US taxpayer is shelling out way more funding for less healthcare compared to other countries. Both the US government and patients are getting less bang for their buck. Notably, much of the added expenditures come from the bloated healthcare system, advertising costs, and other non-health-related expenses.
Health and Wellness in the U.S. Results
You don’t have to delve too deep into the statistics to see that the US healthcare system doesn’t match the country’s global standing. For one, the US ranked 35th in life expectancy. It falls far below most industrial nations like Canada and the UK in almost all categories, including diseases, infant mortality, maternal mortality, and premature deaths.
Access to Health and Wellness in the U.S.
Much of the lower life expectancy is a result of limited access to the healthcare system rather than technical restrictions. In nations with universal healthcare, a patient can to a physician whenever they need to. In the US, you need to have funding ready to see your doctor. For many of the most vulnerable and impoverished citizens, there is no alternative, meaning they forgo healthcare, resulting in more disease, death, and suffering.
Sadly, around 7-8% of the US population doesn’t have insurance, meaning that they have no way to access time-sensitive healthcare procedures. Sadly, it’s these low-income areas that also suffer from unhealthy food, environmental conditions, and lack of security.
How did the US become so Unhealthy?
When you examine the data, there are several reasons why the US has fallen into a state of unhealthiness. For one, there is little effective oversight over diet. The US Food and Drug Administration has allowed companies to create, market, and sell food products that are devoid of any nutritional value. The average US meal includes processed foods and other unhealthy alternatives that can lead to obesity and other ailments.
Drug Usage
Drug use in the US is through the roof. Drug addicts take a heavy toll on their bodies and the healthcare system. This toll gets even higher when they don’t have access to healthcare to supplement their lower immune system. The result is a population that has drug addiction problems and an overdose epidemic fueled by greedy pharmaceutical companies and legislators that are too inept to apply any real pressure on manufacturers.
Obesity
The US is the fattest country on Earth. The average US citizen is both overweight and unhealthy. The combination of sedentary days sitting at the office and eating unhealthy fast and processed food for the last 40 years has resulted in a population of unhealthy citizens who are dependent on drugs and treatments in their later years to survive.
The Healthcare System is Confusing
The fragmented healthcare system has too many hoops that patients must jump through to receive even basic healthcare. Even those who have the funding to access healthcare find the process very discouraging. The complexity of the administrative aspects leaves people confused and unwilling to proceed. Sadly, there are lots of patients who don’t receive the treatment they need simply because the bureaucracy and administrative aspects of the process have left them alienated.
Lack of Education
Another issue that has led to lower healthcare standards in the US is a lack of education. When a nation has low education, it’s unable to fill high-end jobs, leading to lower income opportunities for citizens. Fast-forwarding and citizens don’t make enough to cover the overpriced treatments that drug companies offer. This scenario has led to a complete lack of trust in healthcare officials whom many see as just trying to get a paycheck.
Companies that Could See Significant Growth from the Trump Policy Changes
Several manufacturers could see their positions strengthened thanks to the Trump victory. These companies stand to benefit from the reforms due to their products or services. Here are just two of the many firms that are poised to see growth during the shifting political environments.
Novo Nordisk (NVO -3.05%) is a popular drug manufacturer that continues to see its stock prices appreciate. The company was founded in 1923 and is based in Denmark. Today it is recognized as a leading treatment provider for diabetes and other serious chronic diseases.
Novo Nordisk saw an immediate bump in value following the Trump victory. The company has a market cap of $609B and currently has around 54K employees globally. Additionally, the company offers products to +168 nations and is a member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).
Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO -3.05%)
NVO is a smart addition to your portfolio for multiple reasons. The company recently has seen a surge in stock value after repurposing one of its main drugs, semaglutide. This drug provides many benefits including lowering heart attack, disease, and death rates. Semaglutide was repurposed as a weight loss drug recently, resulting in a huge boost in usage. However, it should be noted that there are still side effects to be aware of including pancreas inflammation, thyroid cancer, kidney failure, depression, and gallstones.
The UnitedHealth Group (UNH -1.43%) entered service in 1977 and is headquartered in Minnesota. The company was founded by US businessman Richard T. Burke. His goal was to create a company that could enhance treatment delivery and management options for patients. Today, the company remains a pioneering force in healthcare.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH -1.43%)
UnitedHealth Group controls total assets over $273B and has a market cap of $570.99B. The firm currently employs +400 K professionals globally and is seen as one of the most successful US-based healthcare providers. UNH stock is a smart addition to your portfolio due to the company’s positioning and unique offerings.
Not All Companies Will See a Boost
Not all companies are poised to see green once Trump takes office. Some firms could see their stock values drop as the new healthcare policies go into effect. These companies offer products that won’t meet the new health requirements. As such, they’re sure to see some backlash from the new administrations.
Kellogg (KLG -0.58%) is a popular food manufacturer that could fall into this category. The company has many offerings but most of its products would not meet any type of strict health regulations. Kellogg was founded in 1906 by W.K.
WK Kellogg Co (KLG -0.58%)
Kellogg produces some of the most iconic food options in the US including Pringles, Frosted Flakes, Pop-Tarts, and Keebler Elves cookies. If new health regulations come into place, they could require the manufacturer to alter its processes or ingredients, resulting in additional expenses.
The US Needs to Get Healthy Now
No matter who takes control of the US’s healthcare system, they have a lot of work to do. The average US citizen is on an unhealthy path, leading to drug companies suckling their retirement as they attempt to access quality healthcare as they age. Hopefully, the country will make the necessary changes to reflect its position on the global stage. For now, US citizens should keep their wallets healthy if they intend to keep their bodies healthy.
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