Washington, DC – With Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House, the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) is bracing for a renewed wave of harmful challenges to the health care and civil rights of low-income and underserved communities. As we confront a new chapter of health care threats, our commitment to protecting millions of individuals and families has never been stronger.
NHeLP’s skills and resources will be essential. Throughout the previous Trump administration, we played a critical role in curbing damaging health care policies that sought to undermine Medicaid and restrict access to care for historically underserved populations. Through persistent advocacy and litigation, NHeLP stood as a bulwark against efforts to strip away coverage from millions of people, ensuring that Medicaid remained a vital lifeline for those in need.
“While we are undeniably facing a difficult road ahead, the National Health Law Program is as determined as ever to stand up for the rights of low-income individuals and families. We’ve fought back before, and we will fight back again,” says Elizabeth G. Taylor, Executive Director of NHeLP. “The health care system should be a source of dignity and security, not fear and instability. Our vision remains the same: to build an equitable health care system where all people—regardless of income, race, sex, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status—have the care they need to thrive. We will not back down from this fight.”
“We know what a second Trump administration is likely to bring,” says Sarah Somers, Legal Director of the National Health Law Program. “We can expect further attempts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act, relentless attacks on Medicaid, and policies designed to roll back reproductive rights and the rights of LGBTQI+ people. These policies will deepen health inequalities for BIPOC communities, people with disabilities, immigrants, women, LGBTQI+ individuals, rural communities, older adults, and low-income families. NHeLP is prepared to fight against any efforts that threaten the health and rights of these communities, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect the most underserved among us.”
NHeLP’s focus will remain on safeguarding Medicaid, advancing sexual and reproductive health access, and ensuring that health care is equitable and accessible to people with disabilities, older adults, pregnant people, LGBTQI+ folks, immigrants, rural communities, and people who live at the intersection of those identities. The organization will continue to work closely with local, state, and national partners, including our network of Health Law Partnerships, to stand up for policies that protect vulnerable populations from harmful rollbacks that threaten to exacerbate health disparities.
As we prepare for the challenges of the next four years, NHeLP will also strengthen its efforts to collaborate with community leaders, health advocates, and policymakers committed to justice, fairness, and the health of all people.
About the National Health Law Program:
The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) protects and improves access to health care for low-income and underserved people and works to advance health equity. We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality, equitable health care and be able to achieve their own highest attainable standard of health. We enforce health care and civil rights laws; advocate for better federal and state laws and policies; train, support, and partner with national, state, and local health and civil rights advocates; and use strategic communications to achieve these goals.
