President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris have differing approaches to key health care issues in the U.S. While both candidates have pledged to make care more affordable, they have different strategies in mind if elected.
Trump aims to slash federal health spending in order to fund tax cuts and reduce the role of the federal government in health care. On the other hand, Harris plans to increase federal spending to make health care more affordable for people by building on existing programs.
Both candidates have promised to lower prescription drug costs, which are significantly higher in the U.S. compared to other countries. Trump’s efforts to reduce drug prices during his presidency have been temporary or ineffective, while Harris has outlined plans to expand certain provisions of President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to lower health care costs for seniors and extend these benefits to all Americans.
When it comes to health care coverage, Harris supports the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and plans to make the enhanced subsidies permanent. She may also work to extend Medicaid coverage in states that have not expanded it under the ACA. Meanwhile, Trump has made multiple attempts to repeal the ACA and could make significant changes to Medicaid if reelected.
Reproductive rights, particularly abortion access, are crucial issues in this election. Harris is a staunch advocate of abortion access and supports eliminating the filibuster in the U.S. Senate to restore federal abortion protections. Trump has introduced anti-abortion measures during his time in office and has expressed varying views on abortion policy, including suggesting a federal ban on abortions around 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Both candidates have expressed support for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the right to IVF and contraception. Trump has called for government or private insurers to pay for IVF treatment, while Harris has defended the right to both IVF and contraception without specifying how she would do so.