Biden Administration’s Public Health Achievements: Tackling Crises and Expanding Access
Biden Administration’s Public Health Wins: Tackling Crises and Expanding Access
When President Biden took office, his administration faced a daunting array of public health challenges: a raging COVID-19 pandemic, skyrocketing health care and prescription drug costs, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a worsening climate crisis, and the ongoing opioid epidemic. In response, the administration made significant strides—some historic—in addressing these issues, from advancing environmental justice to expanding health care access and reducing the cost of life-saving medications.
Here’s a closer look at some of the administration’s most impactful achievements.
Reducing Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Lead
Approximately 9 million U.S. homes still receive water through aging lead pipes, posing serious health risks, particularly to children. Under Biden, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moved to require cities to replace these pipes within the next decade. Lead exposure can cause developmental delays and lifelong health issues, making this a critical step forward.
The administration also took action on lead paint, declaring any detectable amount of lead dust in homes hazardous. Despite being banned in 1978, lead-based paint remains in more than 31 million housing units—over a third of all U.S. homes.
Asbestos
One of the standout achievements of Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative was the ban on chrysotile asbestos, the only form of the chemical still in use in the U.S. Linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma, asbestos is already banned in 50 countries. This marked the first significant federal action on asbestos in decades, following a 1991 court decision that overturned a previous ban.
The administration also set new standards to reduce “forever chemicals” in drinking water, further safeguarding public health.
Protecting Vulnerable Communities
The Biden administration prioritized reducing environmental health disparities, directing resources to communities disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change. Through the Inflation Reduction Act, the EPA’s Community Change Grants program allocated $2 billion—the largest investment in environmental justice in history—to projects focused on clean energy, climate resilience, and tackling environmental challenges.
“These efforts provided communities with infrastructure funds to strengthen resilience to extreme climate events,” said Thomas Burke, PhD, MPH, an expert in health policy and management.
Shoring Up Abortion Access Post-Roe
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Biden administration took steps to protect reproductive health rights. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new rules allowing retail pharmacies to dispense the abortion medication mifepristone to those with a prescription, including via mail delivery.
The administration also reinforced the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), reminding emergency room doctors of their obligation to perform abortions when necessary to save a pregnant woman’s life. However, these protections face potential challenges from future litigation and a conservative judiciary.
Historic Gun Safety Legislation
In a rare bipartisan victory, Biden signed the first major federal gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years. The bill includes incentives for states to adopt “red flag” laws, which allow courts to remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others. It also expands background checks for young gun buyers and closes the “boyfriend loophole,” preventing dating partners convicted of domestic abuse from owning guns.
Cutting the Cost of Prescription Drugs
Americans pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world, a challenge the Biden administration tackled head-on through the Inflation Reduction Act. Key measures include:
- Empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices for the first time, with agreements already reached for 10 high-cost medications.
- Capping out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $2,000 starting in 2025.
- Limiting the price of insulin to $35 per month for Medicare enrollees.
- Penalizing drug companies that raise prices faster than inflation.
“These components will lower drug prices now and into the future,” said Gerard F. Anderson, PhD, a health policy expert.
Expanding Access to Care
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) saw record enrollment under Biden, with 24 million Americans signing up for 2025 coverage. This surge helped reduce the uninsured rate from 14.5% to 11%. Expanded subsidies under the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act made health insurance more affordable, cutting premiums by 44% for eligible enrollees. However, these subsidies are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts to extend them.
Addressing the Opioid Crisis
The administration extended rules allowing easier access to opioid addiction treatments like buprenorphine and methadone via telemedicine. Legislation signed in December 2022 removed a waiver requirement for doctors prescribing buprenorphine, streamlining access to this critical treatment.
Efforts also focused on increasing the availability of naloxone, an overdose reversal drug, in federal facilities, schools, and over-the-counter sales.
What’s Next?
While the Biden administration has made significant progress, many of these achievements face potential challenges from future administrations and a conservative judiciary. Public health advocates will play a crucial role in preserving and building on these gains to improve the health and well-being of all Americans.
Conclusion: The Biden Management’s Public Health Wins—A Blueprint for Resilience
In the face of unprecedented public health crises, the Biden administration has demonstrated unwavering dedication and strategic leadership. From navigating theCOVID-19 pandemic to addressing environmental health disparities, the administration’s actions have been guided by a commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of the American people.
Combatting COVID-19: A Test of Resilience
The pandemic, one of the most critically important crises of the 21st century, tested the administration’s mettle. President Biden’s swift action, coupled with innovative policy measures and strategic partnerships, yielded remarkable results. Over 270 million Americans received at least one COVID-19 vaccine, reducing deaths by 95% and hospitalizations by nearly 91% compared to the first year of the pandemic. The administration’s efforts also made broad testing accessible, with over 921 million free tests delivered to households and over 50 million diagnostics tests administered in-person at community sites[1].
Expanding Health Care Access and Reducing costs
The administration’s initiatives have also greatly expanded health care access and reduced costs for Americans.The Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces saw a 4.4 million increase in enrollment, providing coverage for 16.4 million Americans. The American Rescue Plan added essential relief during the pandemic, delivering lower health care premiums and ensuring that millions had access to affordable Marketplace coverage. Additionally,policy changes capped insulin costs at $35 per month,benefiting approximately 90% of the market and lowering costs by about 90%[5].
Protecting Vulnerable communities
The Biden administration has made significant strides in reducing environmental health disparities. The Inflation Reduction Act allocated $2 billion for community projects aimed at clean energy, climate resilience, and environmental challenges, marking the largest investment in environmental justice history.Thes funds have strengthened community resilience to extreme climate events and prioritized the health and safety of communities disproportionately affected by pollution[5].
Addressing toxic Substances
The administration has taken concerted action to address toxic substances that pose serious health risks. The ban on chrysotile asbestos, a form of asbestos linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma, was a significant federal action following decades of inaction. New standards also aim to reduce “forever chemicals” in drinking water, safeguarding public health further. These decisions underscore the administration’s commitment to mitigating the impact of hazardous chemicals on American families[1].
Shoring Up Abortion Access and Gun Safety Legislation
In response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the administration reinforced reproductive health rights by allowing retail pharmacies to dispense mifepristone via mail delivery with a prescription. This move ensures that pregnant women have access to essential medical care. Additionally, the administration has reinforced the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), reminding emergency room doctors of their obligation to perform abortions when necessary to save a woman’s life.
Furthermore, in a rare bipartisan victory, the administration signed historic gun safety legislation, including incentives for states to adopt “red flag” laws. This legislation represents a significant step forward in addressing gun violence and ensuring public safety[1].
Conclusion
The Biden administration’s trailblazing public health initiatives serve as a compelling example of what can be achieved through sustained effort and strategic leadership. By tackling crises head-on and expanding access to critical health services, the administration has cemented a legacy of resilience and compassionate governance. These actions provide a blueprint for future administrations to build upon, ensuring that the health and well-being of Americans continue to be paramount in policy decisions.
As we move forward, it is imperative to recognize the enduring impact of these initiatives and to continue bolstering our public health infrastructure. By upholding these achievements and pursuing further improvements,we can safeguard the future of our nation and advance toward a healthier,more equitable society for all.
Addressing the Opioid Crisis
The Biden management has taken several significant steps to address the opioid crisis in the U.S. Key actions include:
- Extending Rules for Addiction Treatments:
– The administration extended rules allowing easier access to opioid addiction treatments like buprenorphine and methadone via telemedicine[4].
- removing Prescription Waiver Requirement:
– Legislation signed in December 2022 removed the waiver requirement for doctors prescribing buprenorphine, streamlining access to this critical treatment[4].
- Increasing Availability of Naloxone:
– Efforts focused on increasing the availability of naloxone, an overdose reversal drug, in federal facilities, schools, and over-the-counter sales[4].
- Combatting Stigma and Public Awareness:
– The White House launched the “Stop Youth Opioid Abuse” public awareness campaign aimed at young adults ages 15-25[4].
- SAMHSA Resources:
– The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released an updated version of its Opioid Overdose Prevention toolkit, providing details and resources to prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths[4].
What’s Next?
While the administration has made significant progress in addressing the opioid crisis, many of these achievements face potential challenges from future administrations and a conservative judiciary. Public health advocates will play a crucial role in preserving and building on these gains to improve the health and well-being of all Americans[4].