GOP 2024 hopefuls united on opposition to abortion and youth transgender surgical procedure

Former President Donald Trump made healthcare coverage a key characteristic of his profitable 2016 White Home marketing campaign. For 2024, he and the remainder of the Republican subject are specializing in social and cultural issues associated to healthcare.

On the 2016 marketing campaign path, repealing and changing Obamacare was central to every candidate’s marketing campaign. This included Trump, who promised to supply “one thing nice” instead of former President Barack Obama’s signature home achievement from 2010.

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After congressional Republicans didn't move a pared-down model of Obamacare in 2017, Democrats received the Home in November 2018, killing the final probability to make good on this promise earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic overtook the rest of the Trump presidency.

Though policy-heavy issues equivalent to medical insurance, Medicare, and prescription drugs are nonetheless a excessive precedence for 2024 GOP candidates, topics equivalent to COVID-19, gender transition drugs, and abortion have taken middle stage.

These social issues of healthcare are prone to come up within the first scheduled Republican major debate on Aug. 23. Right here’s the place the sphere stands now, forward of what is rising as a fiery GOP major season.

(AP Photograph/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Abortion: Trump takes credit score for being “capable of kill Roe v. Wade,” having appointed three Supreme Court docket justices who voted in favor of ending abortion as a nationwide proper and successfully sending it to the states. Nevertheless, Trump has not publicly supported a nationwide abortion ban, which some anti-abortion teams are demanding. Trump mentioned on the anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Girls's Well being Group resolution that the federal authorities has a “very important position … in defending unborn life” however failed to present specifics.

COVID-19: Willingly or not, the ultimate 10 months of Trump's White Home time period are linked to the virus. And the previous president has hardly forgotten heading into 2024.

“The quilt-up of COVID-19’s origins is among the biggest scandals within the historical past of the world,” Trump wrote in a March op-ed promising to carry China accountable. Trump has touted Operation Warp Pace to ship the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in 9 months as an alternative of a number of years, but he acknowledged in June that the vaccine is “not an ideal factor to speak about” as a Republican, with a lot of his political base skeptical of the vaccines.

Gender Transition Medication: In January, Trump dedicated to supporting a federal ban on what he known as “baby sexual mutilation.” In June, Trump introduced that, if returned to workplace, he would concern an government order for federal businesses “to stop the promotion of intercourse or gender transition at any age.” He would additionally instantly terminate funding for hospitals conducting gender transition surgical procedures for minors.

Medicare and Medicaid: Trump has made clear his distaste for reducing federal social insurance coverage applications, in distinction to some GOP rivals who say it is necessary to tame exploding money owed and deficits.

"Not at all will we permit anybody to chop Medicare or Social Safety for our nation's seniors," Trump mentioned in February. Trump was additionally the primary president to institute a coverage for states to acquire a waiver to create work necessities for Medicaid recipients.
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Here is what Trump's 2024 GOP rivals say about healthcare issues. Every, in their very own approach, is taking head-on swipes on the Biden administration's healthcare method.
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Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND)

(AP Photograph/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Abortion: As North Dakota governor, Burgum signed a near-total abortion ban into legislation in April. He has promised, nevertheless, to not signal any federal-level abortion bans, saying in July that “that is the choice that ought to be left to the states.”

COVID-19: Burgum lifted North Dakota’s COVID-19 emergency declaration on April 30, 2020, after declaring a state of emergency on the identical day as then-President Donald Trump, March 13. North Dakota was additionally concerned in suing the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Providers concerning the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare employees.

Gender Transition Medication: In April, Burgum, a billionaire software program entrepreneur earlier than profitable the North Dakota governorship in 2016 on his first bid for public workplace, signed a legislation making gender transition drugs for minors against the law in North Dakota. The legislation goals to guard “kids from the life-altering ramifications” of medical transition, Burgum mentioned. He has not made a press release about national-level coverage on this matter.

Medicaid: North Dakota had the highest Medicaid expenditure per enrollee within the nation in 2020. In 2019, Burgum proposed having a state company handle Medicaid growth applications to cut back prices, which was a proposal that died within the GOP-controlled state legislature.
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Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie

(AP Photograph/Meg Kinnard)

Christie's 2024 GOP major bid is extra attitudinal than centered on public coverage issues up to now, with the New Jersey governor from 2010-2018 emphasizing Trump's unfitness to be president. That is after Christie grew to become an early Trump supporter after dropping out of the 2016 GOP presidential major subject. Christie mentioned he broke with Trump after the Jan. 6 riots on the Capitol and has since turn out to be a caustic critic.

Abortion: That is to not say Christie has fully ignored coverage. He has emphasised his anti-abortion bona fides on the state degree.

“For 50 years, conservatives like me have been arguing this isn't a federal concern,” Christie mentioned in a current USA Right this moment interview. “It’s not within the Structure. It’s a state concern, and it ought to be determined state by state.” Christie doesn't help any national-level abortion ban.

COVID-19: Christie spent seven days in intensive care in October 2020 for COVID-19, which the previous governor mentioned he contracted after attending a "superspreader" occasion to honor newly put in Supreme Court docket Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

Gender Transition Medication: Christie mentioned in June that oldsters should be concerned in choices about gender transition drugs for minors. “I do not suppose that the federal government ought to ever be stepping [into] the place of the dad and mom in serving to [their children who are] confused or involved about their gender,” Christie mentioned. That places Christie considerably to the left of most 2024 GOP rivals on the topic, to the diploma he is mentioned it on the marketing campaign path. Christie has principally talked about it in response to media interview questions.

Medicare and Medicaid: Throughout his 2016 presidential run, Christie proposed rising the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and urged a modest means check for Medicare and Social Safety. Though he additionally supported the “repeal and exchange” mantra for Obamacare, Christie, as New Jersey governor, embraced Medicaid growth within the state.
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Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL)

(AP Photograph/Meg Kinnard, File)

Abortion: DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban in Florida, however a 15-week ban stays in impact whereas litigation is pending on the brand new legislation. Though DeSantis has rebuked Trump for calling the six-week ban too harsh, he has been coy about supporting national-level abortion regulation.

COVID-19: DeSantis locked down Florida for 4 months in 2020 and labored to extend vaccine rollout to his state’s excessive senior citizen inhabitants. However he additionally was lauded by conservatives for opposing masks measures and customarily taking a extra skeptical method to the widespread results of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor, elected in 2018 after almost six years as a Home member, has voiced skepticism over the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. At a South Carolina rally in July, DeSantis criticized the push to get mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to market with out correct efficacy testing. Florida can be the one state with a grand jury investigating the vaccine unwanted side effects.

Gender Transition Medication: As an outspoken critic of what he calls “woke gender ideology,” DeSantis and the GOP-dominated Florida legislature enacted laws in Could that prohibits gender transition drugs for minors. DeSantis has not but made a press release on whether or not he would help the abolition of gender transition drugs for minors on the nationwide degree.

Medicare and Medicaid: Within the Home, DeSantis voted to extend the Medicare age to 70 attributable to adjustments in life expectancy. DeSantis, nevertheless, has additionally opposed reducing Social Safety and Medicare, partially due to the share of senior residents in his state. Florida is also amongst 10 states which have not expanded Medicaid underneath Obamacare.
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Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley

(AP Photograph/Meg Kinnard)

Abortion: Haley was South Carolina's governor from 2011-2017 earlier than spending just below two years as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations within the Trump administration. Now operating in opposition to her previous boss, Haley is emphasizing girls's points, particularly abortion, from a female perspective. Haley mentioned in Could she would signal a federal abortion ban, however the prospect of passing one is unlikely. On the Susan B. Anthony Record in April, Haley mentioned that “the subsequent president should discover nationwide consensus” and encourage state-level laws.

COVID-19: In February, Haley tweeted, “COVID-19 probably got here from a Chinese language lab” and that U.S. assist dollars ought to be withheld from China. Haley tweeted in June 2020 that “any coronavirus remedy shall be because of capitalism,” for which she was criticized for not appreciating the federal government’s position in analysis and improvement.

Gender Transition Medication: Haley has known as transgenderism the “girls’s concern of our time” and urged teenage lady suicide charges are rising partly due to radical gender ideology.

“Girls are being informed their voices don’t matter. Should you suppose this sort of aggressive bullying isn’t a part of the issue, you’re not paying consideration,” Haley mentioned.

Medicare and Medicaid: Haley helps elevating the retirement age to fulfill greater life expectancy and restructuring advantages for the subsequent era.

“It's unrealistic to say you’re not going to the touch entitlements [but] don’t have to the touch it for seniors and anyone close to retirement,” Haley mentioned in March. As governor of South Carolina, Haley refused to implement the state Obamacare change program and didn't develop Medicaid.
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Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson

(AP Photograph/Patrick Semansky)

Abortion: In April, Hutchinson mentioned he would signal any federal anti-abortion invoice so long as it had exceptions for rape and incest. “I consider that’s the place the American public is,” Hutchinson mentioned.

Hutchinson was Arkansas governor from 2015-2023 and, earlier than that, had high-level authorities roles in President George W. Bush's administration and was a Home member for almost 5 years. As governor, he signed a near-total abortion ban in March 2021 that outlawed the process aside from a maternal medical emergency.

COVID-19: Hutchinson was one in every of solely seven governors to not concern stay-at-home orders through the peak of the pandemic in early-to-mid 2020. Hutchinson signed into legislation a statewide ban on masks mandates in Arkansas in July 2021, which the then-governor mentioned he regretted shortly after. In December 2022, Hutchinson criticized DeSantis’s skepticism of COVID-19, encouraging elevated vaccinations.

Gender Transition Medication: Hutchinson mentioned the choice to transition a baby medically ought to be as much as the dad and mom.

“I consider that God created two genders and that there shouldn't be any confusion in your gender,” Hutchinson mentioned in July. “But when there's confusion, then dad and mom must be those that information the kids."

Medicare and Medicaid: “We've got received to guard Social Safety and Medicare,” Hutchinson informed PBS NewsHour in March, noting that he doesn't help elevating the retirement age. As Arkansas governor, Hutchinson additionally expanded Medicaid enrollment eligibility.
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Former Vice President Mike Pence

(AP Photograph/Jacquelyn Martin)

Abortion: As essentially the most outstanding social conservative within the 2024 Republican major, Pence is the one candidate within the race who helps a six-week federal abortion ban. Pence additionally mentioned in April that he would really like the abortion capsule mifepristone to be taken off the market.

COVID-19: As vice chairman, Pence known as for holding China accountable for irresponsible public well being practices regarding COVID-19. Pence additionally stood in opposition to federal-level lockdown measures because the chief of the White Home Coronavirus Process Pressure within the earliest days of the pandemic and later was essential of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate coverage.

Gender Transition Medication: Pence, a former Indiana governor and 12-year Home member, is a robust opponent.

“If there was a transfer within the Congress to guard kids from this radical gender ideology and to ban chemical or surgical transition remedy for teenagers underneath the age of 18, you guess I'd help it," Pence informed the Des Moines Register in June.

Medicare and Medicaid: Pence has mentioned that reducing Medicare advantages must be “on the desk for the long run” to face the looming debt disaster. He has known as for “commonsense and compassionate options.” As Indiana governor, Pence made a number of conservative amendments to Medicaid growth, together with work necessities and necessary well being financial savings account contributions.
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Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy

(AP Photograph/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Abortion: Ramaswamy helps state-level abortion bans at six weeks gestation, citing the presence of electrical brainwave exercise.

“This isn't a solution for the president as a result of I feel the federal authorities ought to be out of this,” Ramaswamy mentioned in July. “However in the event you’re a governor otherwise you’re dealing throughout the states, I can share with you my opinion.”

COVID-19: Ramaswamy — who, earlier than operating for president, was a frequent cable tv presence denouncing "wokeism" within the company sphere — mentioned he intends to carry the Chinese language Communist Occasion accountable for COVID-19. He additionally would use government authority to dismantle the executive state, together with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. He has additionally been an outspoken advocate of a libertarian method to public well being, specializing in private accountability and threat evaluation.

Gender Transition Medication: Ramaswamy signaled in Could he would signal a nationwide ban on gender transition drugs on minors, saying it's extra compassionate to deal with a affected person’s psychological well being as a remedy for gender dysphoria.

Medicare and Medicaid: Though there's little details about Ramaswamy’s stance on Medicare and Medicaid, his restricted authorities and free market perspective might inform these views.
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Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)

(AP Photograph/Charlie Neibergall)

Abortion: As a senator for South Carolina, Scott has co-sponsored a 20-week abortion ban and signaled he would signal a nationwide 15-week abortion ban. He mentioned, nevertheless, that the ability of persuasion is extra necessary than hypothetical legislative motion at this second. He's a robust advocate of what he calls a “tradition of life” and fostering a wholesome nationwide dialogue.

COVID-19: “The extra China lies, the extra People die,” Scott mentioned in a Fox News interview in March, noting that he has seen “compelling proof that the Wuhan lab, not nature, is the rationale why COVID occurred.”

Scott was additionally a fierce critic of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate coverage that “wreaked havoc on People.”

Gender Transition Medication: Final September, Scott launched the Parental Rights Over the Training and Care of Their Children Act, which might prohibit federal funding for major colleges that conceal kids’s gender identities from their dad and mom.

Medicare and Medicaid: Scott is a number one member of the Senate Committee on Getting older and has mentioned he would “by no means, ever reduce Medicare or Social Safety advantages.” In Iowa in June, Scott urged that altering the cost construction for Medicare to deal with outcomes fairly than procedures could be a approach to enhance value effectivity and high quality management.