The “Make America Healthy Again” movement is a major focus of President Donald Trump‘s second term. As Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is leading the push to reduce the rates of obesity and chronic illness, among other things. Improving the lives of Americans in the present and paving the way for a healthier future are noble goals. But the administration’s suggestions and implementation, while not inherently negative, are more virtue signaling than concrete steps toward improvement.
On Wednesday, the Trump administration issued a so-called reset of federal nutrition policy. According to the press release, “Under President Trump’s leadership, common sense, scientific integrity, and accountability have been restored to federal food and health policy.” The food recommendations, which emphasize more protein and the elimination of added sugars, are a step in the right direction. But how much does this actually help Americans and the pursuit of a healthier nation?
The MAHA mentality, like the MAGA mentality, is a ground-up movement rather than top-down. Now the government is trying to take the helm, but it is not the catalyst that will make Americans healthier and live longer. This is not the government’s job anyway. A Trump administration that sells easy MAHA “wins” is just throwing red meat to the base. What people need is not a reset of nutritional policy. Instead, the Trump administration should actively work to make changes where it can and show real effort toward its stated goal.
One thing that is well in line with the MAHA movement is the elimination of corn subsidies. These multibillion-dollar subsidies help aid the production of something Kennedy has targeted for a while: corn syrup. According to the Foundation for Economic Education, “If these subsidies were eliminated, then cane sugar would be relatively more affordable to use in soft drinks and many other products. There would doubtlessly be a transition away from corn syrup and back into cane sugar.”
Another is requiring in-person visits for women who want the abortion pill. Currently, women can receive these by mail. Considering how serious they are, it only makes sense that a doctor visit be required. Another initiative would be to increase the education surrounding postpartum and maternal mortality; the rate of maternal mortality among black women is alarmingly high.
And while vaccines have become more controversial than ever, given the COVID-19 pandemic, they still save lives, young and old. This administration, and Kennedy especially, has fostered a needless and dangerous mistrust of vaccines. While commonsense caution should be taken with anything you put in your body, the overcorrection has gone too far.
TRUMP AND RFK JR. JUST BLEW UP THE CHILDHOOD VACCINE SCHEDULE
When it comes to health, individuals are still ultimately responsible for what they eat, how they move, and when they seek medical care. Democrats routinely tell people that they can improve their lives in various ways. The MAHA movement is similarly confident it can do that. But instead of making concrete and fundamental changes, the administration is revamping nutritional guidelines and giving itself a pat on the back. This change will make no measurable difference when it comes to the health of Americans. It looks great and sounds promising, but it contains little substance.
No matter who is in office, adults have the ability to make better choices for themselves and their children. There is no magical solution to the problems of obesity and chronic illness. But the Trump administration would like you to believe we are well on our way to a health revolution. In reality, despite the appearance of progress, the status quo remains intact.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a contributor to the Magnolia Tribune.