WASHINGTON — When Donald Trump is sworn in today, it could well usher in a new era of Republican messaging and policy on health care.
To get there, Trump followed a circuitous path that led him to a recent Democrat and rival-turned-ally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. During his presidential campaigns and first administration, Trump failed to deliver the right message to harness the populist momentum that led to his dominant influence over the Republican Party.
RFK Jr.’s promise to “Make America Healthy Again” provided the answer. His rhetoric is more focused on promoting healthy living, challenging public health officials, and questioning the role of big business than on how insurance benefits are designed or the price of medicines.
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