AdvaMed Reacts to Second Trump Term

The votes are in. The decision has been made. Donald Trump is now the United States president-elect. But how will his controversial comments on the healthcare complex affect how medical technology associations work with the incoming administration?

First, a look back on some of Trump’s statements related to healthcare policy that could impact the medtech industry.

The president-elect has repeatedly shared his views on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicare during this election cycle, for example writing on X, “Everybody agrees that ObamaCare doesn’t work. Premiums & deductibles are far too high – really bad healthcare! Even the Dems [sic] want to replace it, but with Medicare for all, which would cause 180 million to lose their beloved private health insurance.”

Additionally, during the Sept. 10, presidential debate, he said he had “concepts of a plan” for healthcare under his upcoming term, and said, “If we can come up with a plan that’s going to cost our people, our population, less money and be better healthcare than ObamaCare then I would absolutely do it. But until then I’d run it as good as it can be run.”

Of note, Trump attempted to partially repeal the ACA during his first presidential term by passing the American Health Care Act. This would have repealed the individual and employer mandate, amended Medicaid eligibility, and weakened protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions.

Related:MeMed Severity Test Nabs Breakthrough Device Designation

During the campaign, according to Pharmaceutical Technology, he said he intended to repeal President Joe Biden’s Artificial Intelligence Executive Order, which he said hinders innovation. Also under the president-elect, a new chair of the US Federal Trade Commission will be assigned.

During the last legs of the campaign, Trump promised to let Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — who has touted debunked claims that vaccines cause autism, wrote a book accusing former National Institute of Health official Anthony Fauci of  conspiring with tech mogul Bill Gates and drug makers to sell COVID-19 vaccines, according to Politico, and launched a movement to “make America healthy again” which would involve replacing officials and promoting alternative medicine  — “go wild” on healthcare in his administration and saying he would be able to “do what he wants” with women’s healthcare. Kennedy could play a major role in moving the GOP away from debates over legislation and regulation and towards one that more aligns with the government’s role in medicine.

Kennedy also said that Trump had promised him control over public health agencies, including the CDC and FDA.

Related:Baxter Corrects MiniCap Extended Life PD Transfer Sets Due to Toxic Compound Exposure Risk

These statements are in no way an exhaustive list of Trump’s ongoing health-related discourse, but rather highlight some of the major potential changes specifically affecting medtech that could come to fruition starting on inauguration day.

So, how does this translate to medtech associations actually having to work with, and under, the incoming administration?

Here’s what AdvaMed had to say:

“We congratulate President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect [JD] Vance and welcome new members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. We look forward to working with the new administration on issues of importance to medtech and patients in need,” Scott Whitaker, president and CEO of AdvaMed, told MD+DI. "Medtech is the backbone of our health care system and is largely responsible for the incredible innovations that are transforming patient care. Of course, there are even more exciting innovations in our future that will save and improve millions of lives. But in order for medical innovation to thrive, it is essential that the public policy environment support innovation throughout the medtech ecosystem. We look forward to working with the Trump administration and the new Congress to ensure the regulatory and policy environments keep pace with these advances and the patients who need them."

Related:Beyond Air Nabs CE Mark for LungFit PH System