President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Wednesday, making significant changes to health advisory committees and expanding the oversight powers of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. These moves are part of the administration’s broader effort to reduce federal bureaucracy and cut back on government regulations.
Key Health Committees Eliminated
The first executive order, titled “Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” directs the shutdown of two major health advisory committees:
- Advisory Committee on Long COVID: Established in 2023, this committee was responsible for providing recommendations to help tackle the ongoing challenges of Long COVID and related chronic health conditions.
- Health Equity Advisory Committee: Set up under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last year, this committee worked on reducing health disparities, especially in underserved communities.
Both committees were designed to advise the federal government on improving healthcare access and equity. Their termination has sparked concerns among health experts who fear that eliminating these advisory groups could undermine efforts to address public health challenges.
More Program Cuts on the Horizon
The executive order hints at further cuts, stating that within 30 days, top presidential advisors on national security, economic policy, and domestic policy must identify additional “unnecessary governmental entities and federal advisory committees” for termination. This leaves the door open for more government programs and advisory boards to be eliminated as part of the administration’s downsizing strategy.
DOGE Gains More Regulatory Power
The second executive order expands the authority of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) over federal regulations. Under this order:
- DOGE and OMB will review existing regulations to identify those deemed “unlawful, overbearing, or burdensome.”
- DOGE will also evaluate new regulations proposed by government agencies before they are implemented.
This move aligns with the administration’s broader deregulation agenda, aimed at reducing government intervention in business activities.
Impact on Home Care and Hospice Services
While some sectors are concerned about these regulatory rollbacks, the home care and hospice industries are expected to benefit from the administration’s deregulatory efforts:
- Financial experts predict that loosening regulations could encourage mergers and acquisitions in the home care sector, which has been stagnant in recent years.
- The administration recently paused CMS’ hospice Special Focus Program, a move that larger providers had argued unfairly targeted them.
- Trump is also expected to roll back the 80/20 provision of the Medicaid Access Rule, which home care providers claim places unsustainable spending requirements on them.
Potential Downsides for Healthcare Access
While the deregulation push might benefit some providers, critics argue that other policies under Trump’s administration could have negative consequences:
- Anti-immigration policies may worsen staffing shortages in home care, reducing access to necessary services for many beneficiaries.
- The elimination of advisory committees like those on Long COVID and health equity could limit the government’s ability to respond effectively to public health disparities and chronic illness management.
