Today’s post is to help those who are affected by chronic and life threatening conditions get the care they need regardless of what the next four years brings.
In 2016, I knew that Trump’s election was going to create some unique challenges in healthcare, particularly for women, so I wrote the post What to Do Now that Trump is Elected. In the last eight years later, I’ve seen my fears come to fruition. Trump’s appointees to the Supreme Court overturned Row V Wade, which has resulted in increased death rates for women [Study finds higher maternal mortality in states with most abortion restrictions ] and infants [AJMC ] in states that enacted strict abortion bans.
Trump’s funding cuts to Planned Parenthood (PP), which hasn’t used federal funds for decades to pay for abortions, resulted in the closure of PP offices in rural towns and cities across the country-including five in Vermont. Many do not realize that these offices are often the only source of primary care in this areas. My state, as well as many other parts of the country, lost basic primary care for women, particularly those who are living in poorer communities.
Based on Trump’s track record, plus the publication of Project 2025,from the Heritage Foundation, which was written by many of Trump’s former advisers, we will see more impacts on healthcare. Note that while Trump has disassociated himself from Project 2025 to a certain extent, some of the proposals are ones that were set forth in his first administration and many are also consistent with his campaign speeches.
The 900-page Project 2025 contains hundreds of policy proposals, some of which could impact the care you are receiving, as well as your well-being. Such measures include: increased out of pocket expenses; increasing premiums based on your gender or even eliminating them all together due to a pre-existing condition. This latter is very concerning to me as I have a child with a serious pre-existing condition. Whether Trump’s administration will do away with the Affordable Care Act and other programs remains to be seen. However keep in mind that subsidies to buy insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace are set to expire at the end of 2025.
If you live in an area prone to floods and other national disasters, Project 2025 calls for Privatizing … the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program, reforming FEMA emergency spending to shift the majority of preparedness and response costs to states and localities instead of the federal government, eliminating most of DHS’s grant programs.” How this will play out remains to be seen but the potential is there for significant impact on how disasters and recoveries are handled, which can have significant bearing on health and well-being.
I follow the website “Your Local Epidemiologist,” because that is my educational background. I found Jetelina’s comments in her post Now What for Public Health: We need to be ready for a new world to reflect my own thinking.
For many in public health, like me, the prospect of national leadership by individuals with an established track record of ignoring the evidence is deeply disconcerting. This has led to anxiety (and even feelings of loss and sadness). So much is unknown about the future of this field—from policies like routine vaccinations, to the impact of falsehoods moving mainstream, to the resources available to hold up an “invisible shield” for the public’s health.
What is becoming increasingly clear is that we are entering a new world. As we put one foot in front of another, we must remember there’s a difference between what we can and can’t change, and sometimes, there’s a difference between what is easy and what is needed.
With that in mind, these are constructive things you can do:
1. Join the local chapter of the condition specific organization you are affected by (e.g. American Lung Association) and become actively involved.
2, Be an activist. Lobby congress, state and local governments for health care that is affordable for all. Keep on top of legislation in areas other than health care that could adversely impact you, e.g. removing pollution standards. Many health related organizations and health departments monitor state and national pending legislation so subscribe to their newsletters and check their blogs. Get involved in whatever level you can-your healthcare could depend on it.
3. Boost your social capital: Resources that you now count on from local organizations-be it rides, homemaker services etc.-may no longer be available. Your social networks have value and importance, By being an active participant in your community, family, work and other networks, you have an opportunity to give to those in need and in turn, have community you can reach out to for help. One way to organize the people who make up your networks, so that they can help you or someone else, is a Lotsa Helping Hands website.
4. Support Organizations (locally whenever possible) that are working with vulnerable communities and are seeking equality for all. Not everyone can make a financial contribution, but can help by volunteering and engaging in other forms of community activism. Click here for health equity organizations and associations. Additional organizations to consider include:
• Free Clinics and Dental Services: If you are not familiar with the clinic in your area, try a Google search, State Listing of Free clinics or call 2.1.1
• Area hospitals and community health centers
• Community Based Organizations: These are local organizations that work to meet the needs of a given community and can include churches, schools, civic groups (Rotary, Elks), day care etc.
5.Try to Live Below Your Means or at the very least within your means: For many this is a challenge, but the money you can save now can help if you should find yourself needing to pay more out of pocket for care and/or increased premiums.
• How to deal with rapidly rising costs
• Eight ways to cut your health care costs
• The Big Three (Diet, Exercise & Sleep): Making lifestyle changes can improve your health but also save money by reducing pharmacy bills, fewer office visits etc.
• Shop Around for the Best Pharmaceutical Prices
6. Be an informed health consumer:separate fact from fiction: There is a lot of misinformation on-line, particularly sites like Tic Tock. Keep in mind that scammers target those dealing with conditions without effective treatments and/or are life threatening. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Note that the third Saturday of every month is Journal Watch on this blog. The following short video can help you be a better e-health consumer.
7. Minimize Stress: Consider the following to reduce stress you might be experiencing: below is a list of activities that can improve how you feel.
• Exercise (do something) including yoga, Tai chi or Qigong, a walk around the bock etc.
• Eat a healthy diet & avoid bad habits (e.g. too much caffeine, drinking, cigarettes):
• Meditate
• Breathe
• Laugh more
• Socialize: In person if possible.
• Sleep:
• Keeping a journal
• Take a break with art, music and other creative endeavors: There are over 600 ways to do this at Take a Break Pinterest Board.
