Why health care leaders are sounding an alarm about the danger of a Trump presidency

A bipartisan group including six former American Medical Association presidents say access to health coverage will fall while prices rise, and Americans need to pay attention.

by Mark Kreidler, Capital and Main

Some of the nation’s foremost health care leaders aren’t sure that Americans are paying much attention to the policies and practices that might accompany a second Donald Trump presidency. But those leaders certainly are.

They are chilled by the possibilities — and they’re banging the warning drums now, not later.

Because they’re not sure anybody is listening.

“You can disagree on foreign policy, domestic policy, economic policy — take your pick,” Dr. Andrew Gurman, former president of the American Medical Association, told Capital & Main. “But I think the most important thing in this election is health and health care — and under another Trump administration it will get more expensive and less accessible, especially for those at the margins. It’s not being discussed enough.”

Gurman is the co-author of a bipartisan letter recently released to the public about the likely dire U.S. health consequences if Trump wins another term. The letter is signed by 48 health care leaders including six former American Medical Association presidents, a former surgeon general and four former acting surgeons general.

Most of the signers are retired military. The group is a mix of Democrats, Republicans and Independents. About 40% did not state their party affiliation or are unaffiliated, a spokesman said.

“The possibility of Americans not receiving essential health care, either due to cost or lack of access, is among our greatest worries,” their letter says. “If he is elected president, Donald Trump will make our fears a reality.”