On November 8, 2016, Donald Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States in a closely watched election over former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.  In the coming days before his Inauguration, President-elect Trump will likely review his campaign promises and the issues and events facing the country as he determines his priorities in office. Because of the challenge of turning a platform into law, there are a number of reasons why his campaign promises may not be realized.

A Republican-controlled Capitol Hill will have a dramatic impact on the President Trump‘s agenda for the next two years. Within the first 100 days, the President-elect promised to introduce legislation to address immigration reform, discuss a significant infrastructure improvement agenda, and nominate an Associate Justice to the United States Supreme Court.

As the Trump Administration settles into office, major health care efforts to reform the healthcare system and potentially repeal sections of the Affordable Care Act will be brought before Congress. If he follows his health care platform, President-elect Trump would:

  • Reduce barriers to the interstate sale of health insurance
  • Institute a full tax deduction for insurance premium payments for individuals
  • Make Health Saving Accounts inheritable
  • Require price transparency
  • Block-grant Medicaid to the states
  • Allow for more overseas drug providers through lowered regulatory barriers. 

However, this platform will face some reluctance from a Congress where debates on the successor program to the Affordable Care Act will be vigorous. While both parties acknowledge the current system for providing coverage to all Americans has problems, there exist extreme differences as to the potential remedy.