Americans may not have to pay income taxes anymore if Donald Trump gets his way
Citing the years 1870–1913 as a model for growing American prosperity, President Donald Trump has suggested doing away with federal income taxes in favor of a tariff-based economic structure.
In a bold and controversial move, Donald Trump has turned his attention to mental health drugs, with a sweeping new executive order that promises major changes to healthcare regulations, particularly for children. Just this week, the 78-year-old Republican leader signed a White House-issued policy, launching a high-profile initiative known as the “Make America Healthy Again Commission”.
This bold campaign is set to stir debate across the country as healthcare professionals prepare for a shake-up in how mental health treatments for young Americans are managed. With a focus on mental health drugs, this move aims to bring reform to existing regulatory processes while raising questions about its long-term impact on the future of healthcare in the U.S.
The newly launched Make America Healthy Again Commission is set to prioritize the well-being of American children, with a special focus on mental health and mental illness. Spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the commission aims to reshape children’s health policies across the nation.
Trump’s Bold New Vision for Children’s Health
President Donald Trump’s latest executive order lays out an ambitious plan to dramatically reduce chronic diseases and end childhood chronic illness. This vision includes assessing the dangers posed by the overuse of medications, exposure to harmful chemicals, and other environmental factors that affect children’s health. A key component of this effort will be to evaluate the impact of commonly prescribed drugs, including SSRIs, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs, on the youth population.
The Commission’s Immediate Tasks and Timeline
The commission is expected to deliver an initial report on the prescription of these medications within 100 days of the decree’s issuance. A comprehensive strategy to improve children’s health, complete with recommendations for the federal government, is set to follow 80 days later.
The Concerns Raised by Healthcare Professionals
Despite the good intentions behind President Trump’s focus on children’s health, healthcare professionals are expressing concern. The policy highlights the potential risks of mental health medications, which many experts argue are lifesaving for children dealing with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
While SSRIs, antipsychotics, and stimulants can have physical side effects, they also play a crucial role in treating mental health issues in young people. The worry is that restricting access to these medications could negatively impact the lives of many children who rely on them for stability and well-being.
The report reveals that 8.4 million children in the United States are affected by Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a condition that is causing growing concern.
In an interview with The Seattle Times, Dr. Lelach Rave, the interim executive director of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, shared her insights following the report’s release on February 19th.
She emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “For any parent with a child battling depression, anxiety, or psychosis, it’s a terrifying experience. The harm caused by untreated mental health issues is profound,” underscoring the urgency of addressing these conditions effectively.
Continuing her thoughts, the respected physician Dr. Lelach Rave emphasized, “It’s not about downplaying the risks associated with medications—they are very real. But there’s an equally significant danger in ignoring the disease itself.”
As outlined in the journal, several other physicians in Washington agree that monitoring prescriptions is a reasonable approach. However, they caution that a federal mandate could lead to a divide between doctors and other healthcare professionals, potentially creating tensions in the medical community.
In a candid discussion about the potential impact on mental health, Summer Starr, the interim head of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Washington, expressed her concerns. She highlighted the possible consequences of such policies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a nuanced, collaborative approach to mental health treatment.
“You’d never deny someone cancer treatment,” Summer Starr stated firmly. “The stigma surrounding mental health is not on the same level, but it’s still very real. We’ve been working tirelessly to reduce this stigma, and policies like this make that even harder.”
She also expressed concern that denying children and adolescents access to timely mental health care could hinder their long-term recovery. “I know from experience that the earlier people receive the support they need for mental health, the better the outcome for their future,” she emphasized, underscoring the importance of early intervention.
