President Biden’s State of the Union Address: What Does It Mean for Healthcare?
ELIZABETH CONNER –
On February 7th, 2023, President Biden delivered his State of the Union Address, in which many aspects of healthcare reform were highlighted. Biden’s four-part Unity Agenda was initiated, which proposes both parties unite to push for the end of cancer, improve veteran care, further mental health reform, and mitigate the opioid epidemic. Although many political initiatives go into this four-part agenda, I will highlight key aspects that affect the future of healthcare below.
First, Biden focuses on America’s second leading cause of death– cancer. Initiatives for the “ending of cancer as we know it” surround the Cancer Moonshot: a plan that hopes to cut the number of cancer deaths in half in 25 years by improving individual access to care and prioritizing the experiences of those battling this disease. Biden also emphasizes the need for a major update in cancer research. By calling on Congress to reauthorize the National Cancer Act and reorient the organization of the National Cancer Institute, this proposed improvement seeks to reinvest in research efforts. The Biden administration also aims to cover the benefits of patient navigation services. In hopes of improving patient outcomes, these services guide as many patients as possible—along with their caregivers and families–through the stages of cancer. Furthermore, since addiction to tobacco products is accredited as the largest single driver of cancer deaths in the US, combating tobacco addiction is another crucial component of the Cancer Moonshot initiative.
The State of the Union Address notes the plan to continue expanding benefits for veterans and deliver their healthcare services faster than ever before. As military veterans have higher pre-existing psychiatric conditions than nonveterans, the Biden administration emphasized the importance of their protection. To lower the risks of Veteran suicide, of which were thought to increase as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the VA will contribute $10 million to the provision of federal mental health resources in all states and territories, and will provide legal support and outreach to veterans who may be involved in the justice system.
The President did not shy away from the subject of mental health. Many factors contribute to societal mental health, but Biden focused on the protection of kids online, the strength of data privacy transparency, the support of the workforce, and the expansion of access to care as a few details aimed at providing a healthier social environment for all Americans. A large contribution to the health of the environment is the safety of the environment; Biden similarly acknowledged the opioid epidemic surrounding Fentanyl in the United States. Over the past year, there was an unprecedented increase in the availability of Naloxone, a drug often used as a harm-reduction measure. The Biden administration hopes to continue these efforts by ensuring every jail and prison, of which are differentiated by the length of inmate’s stay and level of government authority, can provide Naloxone in the event of a crisis.
Biden’s State of the Union Address offered responses to some of the nation’s most important and debated healthcare issues such as cancer, mental health, veteran affairs, and the opioid crisis. Although the Biden administration was able to address these issues, there is still progress to be made regarding the expanded access to and cost of healthcare. If you are interested in learning about how each aspect of the four-part agenda will be enacted, I ask that you read the article below for more specific information on the policy regarding these subjects.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7778481/
https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/what-is-the-difference-between-jail-and-prison-31513
Photography source: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/biden-state-union-address-rcna68922