Is the Trump administration out of touch with the rest of the world relating to health care? We should be able to find out just how out of touch this week.
On May 17th, the WHO will convene for the 78th World Health Assembly.
The World Health Organization is the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations system. The aim of the WHO is the attainment of all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health, as defined in the WHO Constitution, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
On Donald Trump’s first day in office, he signed 26 executive orders. One of those orders was to withdraw the USA from the WHO. The order also rescinded a prior executive order by President Biden. That order coordinated the federal government’s COVID-19 response and pandemic preparedness.
Ironically, the agenda this week at the assembly includes a vote adopting a pandemic accord. So while the rest of the planet is coordinating a pandemic response, the USA is going backward. Anti-vaccine sentiment, coupled with reduced government funding for school mandates, is affecting other areas. As of May 16, the CDC reports 1,024 confirmed cases of measles. They admit there are more cases that are listed as just probable.
The Assembly will discuss climate change. They state that “extreme weather and disease outbreaks are on the rise, threatening the health of millions.” On his first day in office, Trump issued several orders that gut the USA’s climate control policies.
Universal health care is on the agenda. “Ensuring that all people have affordable access to the full range of quality health services they need is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which all UN Member States signed up to in 2015.” The Trump administration wants no part of this. Republicans are proposing cuts in Medicaid.
The fifth item will be “Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, kill tens of millions of people each year. Many lives could be saved if more countries had strong national responses, providing detection, screening and treatment, as well as palliative care.” The Trump administration is submitting a 25% cut for Health and Human Services.
While the head of the US Heath and Human services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr is proposing cut backs, downplaying the effectiveness of vaccines and fluoride, the USA will sit on the sidelines as the world comes together to create a set of real, serious and necessary policies with the goal of giving everyone, everywhere an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. Words : 440 Characters : 2188
