August 1, 2024
July 2024 – Health Advocate Insights
July, 2024
Health Advocate Insights
The past month of the presidential race has brought increased visibility to the respective health workforce and higher education implications of each candidate. Candidate Trump’s pick of Senator JD Vance (R-OH) for Vice President portends a potentially harsh policy environment for higher education and healthcare. Vance – whose legislative record includes requiring foreign donation disclosures for universities, expanding the taxation of university endowments, and investigating DEI practices in higher education – has previously stated that universities are committed to “deceit and lies, and not the truth.” On healthcare, Vance has had a slightly more mixed record. While he has supported legislation to reduce the price of insulin, his record also includes attempts to block mask mandates, barring DACA recipients from enrolling in healthcare.gov exchanges, and a wide array of attacks on reproductive rights.
With Vice President Kamala Harris now leading the Democratic ticket, there is anticipation that a Harris presidency’s healthcare agenda will reflect that of the current administration. To that end, there will likely be a focus on lowering costs, drug pricing reform, among other issues. It is worth noting that during her own presidential campaign, she advocated for even bolder measures than the current administration including capping drug prices at levels similar to other OECD nations and allowing the government to seize patents of high-priced drugs. Additionally, Harris has been much less tepid in her support of reproductive rights, having championed the issue since her time as California Attorney General.
Photo by Karolina Kaboompics
What's going on in Washington, DC?
In the past few weeks, the judiciary has been particularly active in the higher education space. The Federal Appeals Court in the Eastern District of Missouri placed a temporary injunction on the Biden administration’s income-driven student loan payment program. The Biden administration’s plan would increase the income exemption from 150% to 225% of the federal poverty line and would eliminate interest from accruing once a borrower makes their full scheduled payment. Many have criticized the Missouri Attorney General’s decision to bring the suit, stating that the lawsuits are politically motivated and that the suits lack credible standing. Meanwhile in Texas, another federal judge temporarily blocked the Biden Administration’s revised Title lX rule which would expand protections for LGBTQ students and employees. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk – who has been a featured figure in the controversy of judge shopping – ruled that the Biden Administration did not explain why Title Xl should influence matters related to employment. Subsequently, Conservative Advocacy Group Moms for Liberty asked a federal judge in Kansas to expand the ruling by issuing a national injunction. While the judge’s order did not expand the injunction nationally, it did go into effect in four states, as well as any educational institutions attended by the children of members of Moms for Liberty, Young America’s Foundation, and Female Athletes United.
In more hopeful news, there are currently bipartisan efforts in the Senate to improve pay and support primary care providers. Sponsored by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), the Pay PCPs Act would set up a hybrid payment system to reward primary care providers that reduce patients’ emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and specialist services, while improving health outcomes. This bill comes at a time when the US is anticipated to experience a significant shortage and maldistribution in primary care providers over the next decade. Feedback on the bill may be submitted through an open RFI. More information on the RFI be found here: Whitehouse-Cassidy-Medicare-Primary-Care-RFI.pdf (senate.gov)
Voting registration drive sign. Image via Wikimedia Commons
What's going on in the states?
A recent Florida law would make it more difficult to hold on-campus voter registration drives. Recent legislation would add additional restrictions and conditions to register voters. Under the law, organizations must re-register each election cycle and provide proof of registration for every individual that they register to vote. It also reduces the window during which they must turn in applications from two weeks to ten days while increasing the maximum penalty for failing to turn in the applications in a timely manner. It is likely that this will have a chilling effect on voting registration efforts, with some organizations noting that they are now switching to neighborhood canvassing for their turnout efforts.
California’s recent bill to increase the minimum wage for healthcare employees hit a roadblock when the state’s budget deficit ballooned to an estimated $56 billion over the next two years. In response to the deficit, state lawmakers decided to push back the implementation of the bill to October 15th surmising that the state will bring in additional revenue by that point. While the law does not apply equally to all healthcare facilities, an estimated 426,000 workers are expected to benefit from the new law. For more information on the staggered roll out of the law, see the recent CalMatters article on the deployment of the bill.
What else are we reading?
What can you act on today?
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Sign up for the Arab-American Health Summit – This summit serves as a platform for researchers in the United States to connect with their counterparts in the Middle Eastern North African (MENA) region and elsewhere for a unique opportunity to exchange best practices and create research relationships that can build a sustainable public health infrastructure globally. The summit theme for this year is “Advancing Health Amidst Conflict and Crisis.”
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Sign up for the Health Advocate Insights Newsletter – Are you passionate about the intersection between social mission and health professions advocacy? We invite you to sign up for SMA’s quarterly advocacy newsletter. Stay informed about the most recent developments, challenges, and successes in state and federal policy, as well as national advocacy efforts. Together, let’s amplify our voices and create a healthier, more equitable health workforce community!
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Share your story for how the anti-DEI movement has impacted you – The Chronicle of Higher Education has been tracking efforts to ban DEI from college campuses. Administrators, faculty, staff, and students: What effect has the political campaign to rid colleges of DEI efforts had on college life? How have college leaders interpreted new anti-DEI laws and policies? Have they changed DEI practices in response to political pressure?
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of state and federal policies, it’s clear our mission is more important than ever. We look forward to your continued support and involvement in our journey to build a more equitable and inclusive health workforce. Together we can drive meaningful change for our communities and the future of healthcare.
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