Since returning to the White House in January 2025, President Donald Trump has wasted no time making changes to America’s healthcare system – some for the better, and some for the worse.
From pulling the United States out of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to slashing research funding and tackling medical pricing transparency, his policies are sending ripples through the healthcare industry – and the world.
Add in the controversial appointment of the known vaccine sceptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services and a rising measles outbreak, and the stakes could not be higher.
The positives
One of Trump’s more consumer-friendly moves has been an executive order forcing hospitals and insurance companies to clearly disclose their prices.
Patients can finally see what procedures will cost upfront, potentially avoiding surprise medical bills.
Increased transparency could create competition, driving down prices over time.
However, hospitals and insurers are pushing back, arguing that pricing healthcare like a grocery store does not account for the complexities of medical care.
A similar discussion is taking place in Malaysia, with ongoing stakeholder engagement by the Health Ministry with relevant parties such as the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia.
Another shift is happening in the food industry.
This is influenced by Kennedy’s advocacy against industrial seed oils like soybean and canola oil.
Several major restaurant chains are switching to alternatives like olive oil and beef tallow.
Some nutritionists say reducing processed seed oils could improve public health by lowering inflammation and chronic disease risks.
Others argue that focusing on seed oils distracts from bigger dietary issues, like excessive sugar and ultra-processed foods.
The trend could spread beyond the US, influencing food industries worldwide.
Budget cuts
Just days into his second term, Trump signed an executive order officially withdrawing the US from the WHO, citing what he called the organisation’s “corruption and incompetence.”
If this sounds familiar, it is because he did the same thing during his first presidency, only for former President Joe Biden to rejoin WHO soon after.
The US is one of the WHO’s biggest funders, and without American dollars, global health programmes tackling everything from tuberculosis to maternal health will suffer.
The withdrawal will also isolate the US from crucial international health collaborations, especially in times of crisis, such as future pandemics.
Developing nations that rely on WHO-funded programmes may also face significant setbacks in healthcare progress as a result.
Scientific research is also taking a hit under Trump’s new budget.
The National Science Foundation faces an 8% budget cut, leading to potential layoffs and stalled research projects.
The National Institutes of Health is also experiencing budget cuts, plus a proposed cap on research grant overhead costs, sparking fears that universities and biotech startups will struggle to stay afloat.
The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to shut down its research office entirely, which could mean job losses for over 1,000 scientists and a setback for public health and environmental safety research.
The US has long been a global leader in medical and environmental research, but with less funding, there will be fewer discoveries in critical areas like cancer treatment and infectious disease prevention.
Layoffs and hiring freezes at research institutions might drive top scientists abroad, leading to a “brain drain” from the US – but an opportunity for countries in Europe and Asia.
Universities that depend on federal grants may also face financial instability, affecting students, faculty, and the communities they serve.
In a move that pleased pro-life advocates and outraged reproductive rights supporters, Trump reinstated strict enforcement of the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal funds from being used for elective abortions.
Women who rely on federal healthcare programmes like Medicaid for reproductive services may find it harder to access abortions.
The policy could influence global funding for reproductive health programmes, affecting organisations that provide family planning services abroad.
Anti-vaxxer sentiment
Prior to his appointment as the equivalent of our Health Minister, Kennedy was best known for his outspoken views on vaccines.
His appointment sparked heated debates, with critics worrying that his skepticism of traditional public health measures could have dangerous consequences.
After all, Kennedy co-founded the Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine nonprofit that has launched numerous lawsuits challenging vaccine and public health mandates.
Kennedy had previously stated: “Measles outbreaks have been fabricated to create fear that in turn forces government officials to ‘do something’”.
The use of vaccines had allowed the US to declare measles eliminated in 2000, but declining vaccination rates have brought it roaring back – the US is currently dealing with a growing measles outbreak.
By mid-March, nearly 300 measles cases had been reported across the country, with Texas and New Mexico being hit the hardest.
In February, a six-year-old Texan was the first child in the US to die of measles in two decades.
Although measles may not cause permanent harm in the majority of cases, it is highly contagious and can cause brain damage and even death, especially in young children.
Long-term complications like subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a progressive and fatal brain disorder, are rare but real risks.
Doctors in the US are sounding the alarm over what they call completely preventable outbreaks, blaming vaccine hesitancy fuelled by misinformation especially on social media platforms that broadcast their lies across borders.
What lies ahead?
From policy shifts to public health crises, Trump’s second term is already reshaping the American and global healthcare landscape.
The big question is: Will these changes lead to a stronger, more transparent system, or will they create new crises in research, global health, and disease control?
I suspect the latter is more likely and it is imperative that we look into greater Asean and Global South cooperation in order to prepare for this uncertain future.
Dr Helmy Haja Mydin is a consultant respiratory physician and Social & Economic Research Initiative chairman. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
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