President Biden’s public Health Achievements: A Thorough Overview
Table of Contents
From the beginning, President Bidenʼs management faced major public health challenges: the COVID pandemic, spiraling health care and prescription costs, the overturning of Roe v. wade, a worsening climate crisis, the ongoing opioid epidemic, and more.
In response,the Biden administration made meaningful impacts in several key areas including advancing environmental justice,shoring up reproductive health rights,promoting gun safety,expanding health insurance coverage,and cutting prescription drug costs.
Reducing Exposures to hazardous Chemicals
Lead
The EPA under Biden moved to require all U.S. cities to replace legacy lead pipes within a decade to reduce lead exposure from drinking water. Additionally, any amount of lead dust detected in homes is now considered hazardous.
Asbestos
Bidenʼs Cancer Moonshot project led to banning chrysotile asbestos use in the U.S., marking a significant federal action after decades. The chemical is linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Protecting vulnerable Communities
The administration focused on reducing environmental health disparities by providing infrastructure funds through initiatives like EPA Community Change Grants, distributing $2 billion for clean energy projects and climate resilience efforts.
Shoring Up Abortion Access Post-Roe
Under new FDA rules during Biden’s term,
retail pharmacies can dispense abortion medication mifepristone with prescriptions.
The administration also emphasized ER doctors’ obligations under EMTALA following The Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v.Wade .
Historic Gun Safety Legislation
Biden signed into law major federal gun safety legislation with bipartisan support.
It includes incentives for states passing Extreme Risk Protection orders or red flag laws allowing courts removal weapons threats themselves others.
The bill expands background checks people ages seeking buy guns broadens laws preventing dating partners convicted domestic abuse owning firearms.
Cutting Cost prescription Drugs
Americans pay highest prices world “which one major challenges American public faced beginning,” says Gerard F Anderson PhD professor Health Policy Management inflation Reduction Act had four critically important components lowering now future” he says They include:
Empowering Medicare first time negotiate certain medicines August announced reached agreements lower high-cost drugs best-selling heart disease diabetes cancer Establishing $2000 cap out-of-pocket costs beneficiaries starting Capping insulin $35 Establish penalties companies increase above rate inflation
Expanding Access Care Enrollment Affordable Care act increased every year reached record million enrollees helped cut uninsured rate Administration increased ACA subsidies American Rescue Plan extended them through meaning more Americans discounted insurance program subsidies premiums eligible enrollees annually according KFF These expire end unless Congress extends Addressing Opioid Crisis helped extend existing rules permitting eased access addiction treatments buprenorphine methadone telemedicine signed legislation December making easier prescribe removing requirement doctors apply waiver worked make overdose reversal naloxone available places such facilities schools paved way over-the-counter sales nasal spray
What’s Next? Many wins face challenges next including conservative judiciary legacy Trump’s first term will advocates remember impacts help inform future efforts improve Americans’ Annelies Winny writer producer Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School Public Health
