Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Establishes the Make America Healthy Again Commission
Key Points
- Executive Order Issued: President Donald J. Trump signed an order establishing the Make America Healthy Again Commission on February 13, 2025.
- Chairperson: U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will lead the Commission.
- Focus Areas:
- Investigate and address chronic diseases in children.
- Provide an assessment report within 100 days.
- Deliver a strategy for improvement within 180 days.
- Policy Directives:
- Increase transparency in health research.
- Prioritize research on why Americans are getting sick.
- Collaborate with farmers for healthier, affordable food.
- Expand treatment options for preventive care.
- Concerns on Chronic Illnesses:
- 60% of U.S. adults have at least one chronic illness.
- U.S. cancer rates are the highest globally.
- Obesity, diabetes, and liver disease are growing among children.
- 77% of young adults are unfit for military service due to health issues.
- U.S. spends $4.5 trillion annually on healthcare, with 90% focused on chronic illnesses.
- Restoring Public Trust:
- Addressing public skepticism in the health system.
- Only one-third of Americans trust the U.S. health system.
- Past Trump Administration Actions:
- Passed Right to Try for terminally ill patients.
- Expanded telehealth access.
- Declared opioid crisis a public emergency.
- Increased funding for kidney disease and Sickle Cell research.
Pros & Cons – U.S. Impact
✅ Pros
- Greater focus on prevention rather than just treatment.
- More transparency in federally funded health research.
- Potential improvements in childhood health conditions.
- Affordable healthier food through partnerships with farmers.
- More healthcare flexibility for preventive care and alternative treatments.
- Could reduce healthcare spending by addressing root causes of chronic diseases.
❌ Cons
- Implementation challenges: 180 days may not be enough for effective strategies.
- Political and industry resistance from pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
- Uncertainty in execution: Lack of detailed plans for enforcement.
- Possible funding gaps for necessary research and programs.
- Potential regulatory hurdles in expanding treatment flexibility.
Pros & Cons – Global Impact
✅ Pros
- U.S. health policy improvements could inspire other nations.
- More research data shared globally on chronic illnesses.
- Potential market opportunities for international health & wellness industries.
- Stronger U.S. workforce could enhance global economic competitiveness.
❌ Cons
- No direct impact on other nations’ healthcare systems.
- Possible trade tensions over food and pharmaceutical regulations.
- U.S. healthcare costs may still remain high, setting a poor global example.
- Risk of politicization influencing international public health collaborations.
Factual Narrative
On February 13, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order creating the Make America Healthy Again Commission, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Commission’s goal is to address chronic diseases, particularly in children, and produce a comprehensive health assessment within 100 days, followed by a strategy for improvement within 180 days.
The initiative aims to increase transparency, prioritize root-cause research, promote healthier food options, and expand preventive healthcare treatments. This comes in response to the alarming rise in chronic diseases, with six in ten U.S. adults affected and childhood illnesses, such as autism, obesity, and diabetes, reaching unprecedented levels.
The move seeks to restore public trust in healthcare, especially as only one-third of Americans express confidence in the system. However, critics raise concerns about funding, execution, and resistance from pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
Historically, Trump’s administration has enacted several healthcare reforms, including Right to Try laws, expanded telehealth, and combating the opioid crisis. If successful, this Commission could transform U.S. healthcare by shifting focus from treatment to prevention, potentially reducing costs and improving public health outcomes.