As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the healthcare policies of the leading candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, are under scrutiny. Their positions on healthcare governance, artificial intelligence, drug pricing, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) carry significant implications for the sector.
According to BRG experts who participated in a recent webinar, the Biden-Harris administration has been actively pursuing antitrust investigations. In contrast, the prior Trump-Pence administration conducted fewer probes, though it did intervene in major deals like the CVS Caremark-Aetna deal. Both candidates, however, show a shared objective of enhancing the Medicare Advantage program, with Harris focusing on transparency and data, whereas Trump previously enacted executive orders aimed at beneficiaries’ savings and care expenses.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been an area of clear divergence. The Biden-Harris administration has extended subsidies through 2025, and Kamala Harris is likely to pursue further extensions if elected. Trump, who attempted to repeal the ACA in the past, would likely try to implement stricter Medicaid work requirements and potentially cut the program or convert it into block grants for states.
In terms of AI in healthcare, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump appear to share a common view. Both candidates express optimism about AI’s potential benefits and would probably support further innovation initiatives. Harris’s familiarity with the tech industry as a Californian politician may play an influential role in her approach.
On the topic of drug pricing reform, the Inflation Reduction Act, which facilitates Medicare drug price negotiations, is a key focus for both candidates. Harris is inclined to enhance current efforts, including broadening drug negotiations and enforcing the insulin price cap beyond Medicare. Trump, conversely, might explore international reference pricing and revive past unsuccessful initiatives like eliminating rebates in Medicare Part D.
For further details, the original discussion of these topics on the BRG webinar can be found in the article on MedCity News.