Medicare Task Force Disbanded and What That Means For Equality in Healthcare
President Donald Trump ordered the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to disband a committee focused on reducing systemic barriers to government health care programs for people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and rural Americans. The directive was part of an executive order aimed at "commencing the reduction of the federal bureaucracy."
Trump instructed agency heads to dissolve several advisory bodies within two weeks, including the CMS Health Equity Advisory Committee, the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid at the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Community Bank Advisory Council at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID at the Department of Health and Human Services.
"It is the policy of my Administration to dramatically reduce the size of the Federal Government," Trump wrote in the order. "This order commences a reduction in the elements of the Federal bureaucracy that the President has determined are unnecessary."
The CMS Health Equity Advisory Committee was established under a Biden-era executive order on racial equity, with the goal of identifying and addressing systemic barriers in CMS programs. Its scope included Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Affordable Care Act marketplaces, focusing on disparities linked to structural racism—an issue Trump previously dismissed as a "divisive concept."
A December 2024 Federal Register notice described the committee’s role in tackling health disparities affecting marginalized groups, including racial and religious minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and rural residents. Research has shown that Black and Latinx Americans suffer from Type 2 diabetes at higher rates than white Americans, with rural states like Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, and West Virginia reporting some of the worst outcomes. A CMS report from April 2024 highlighted access barriers for Indigenous and Black Americans seeking diabetes care. Similarly, a November 2024 report found that non-white Americans with kidney failure faced longer transplant wait times, while rural patients struggled to access kidney disease treatment.
Since returning to office, Trump has prioritized shrinking the federal government and dismantling diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives. On Feb. 19, civil rights groups sued his administration over a series of DEI-related executive orders, arguing they exceeded presidential authority and discriminated against Black and transgender Americans.
Researchers warn that these orders could stifle efforts to study race- and gender-based disparities, including in health care. A list of banned diversity-related terms has reportedly circulated in Washington, and Reuters recently reported that some FDA scientists were told to avoid words like "woman," "disabled," and "elderly" in public communications. The White House later claimed the agency had misinterpreted Trump’s orders.
In a Fox News interview last week, Trump insisted that "Medicare, Medicaid, none of that stuff is going to be touched." However, hours later, he endorsed a House GOP budget proposal that would significantly cut Medicaid funding. A White House spokesperson told Politico that the administration remains committed to protecting Medicare and Medicaid while eliminating "waste, fraud, and abuse" within the programs.
How This Will Impact Patients’ and Their Care
The dismantling of the CMS Health Equity Advisory Committee and broader efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in healthcare will have direct and indirect effects on patients, particularly those from marginalized communities. Here’s how:
1. Increased Health Disparities
Without a federal body focused on addressing barriers to care, existing health disparities will likely worsen. Patients from underserved communities—especially people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, those with disabilities, and rural residents—may struggle even more to access quality care.
Chronic Disease Management: Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and kidney failure disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and Latinx Americans. The disbanded committee played a role in addressing these disparities, so without it, fewer resources may be allocated to improving care for these groups.
Delayed Diagnoses: Many marginalized communities already face higher rates of misdiagnosis or late diagnosis due to systemic biases in healthcare. A lack of oversight could allow these issues to persist unchecked.
2. Reduced Access to Medicaid and Other Safety Net Programs
If Medicaid funding is cut—something Trump has signaled support for—millions of low-income patients could lose health coverage. This would be particularly devastating for:
Children in Low-Income Families: The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) helps cover kids who might not otherwise receive care. Cuts to Medicaid could affect CHIP funding, limiting children’s access to necessary treatments.
People in Rural Areas: Many rural hospitals depend on Medicaid reimbursements to stay open. Reduced funding could lead to closures, forcing patients to travel long distances for care—or go without it altogether.
3. Fewer Protections for Vulnerable Patients
The disbanded committee was tasked with ensuring healthcare programs considered the needs of marginalized groups. Without it, patients may face:
More Barriers for LGBTQ+ Patients: Many LGBTQ+ individuals already experience discrimination in healthcare. The removal of oversight could mean fewer protections against bias, making it harder to find affirming providers.
Challenges for People with Disabilities: The potential removal of disability-related language from government health programs could make it harder for disabled individuals to advocate for accommodations.
4. Higher Costs and More Out-of-Pocket Expenses
With fewer policies in place to address affordability, healthcare costs could rise for certain populations. If Medicaid is cut or eligibility rules become stricter, more people may be forced to buy private insurance or pay out-of-pocket for essential care. This could lead to:
Skipping Necessary Care: Patients may avoid doctor visits, prescription refills, or preventive screenings due to cost concerns, leading to worsening health conditions.
Increased Medical Debt: Those without insurance may be forced to take on debt to afford hospital visits or treatments, deepening financial instability.
5. Negative Impact on Medical Research and Public Health Efforts
The reported restrictions on language related to diversity in federal agencies could hinder public health research into race- and gender-based disparities. Without clear data, it becomes harder to develop policies that address inequities in healthcare. This could result in:
Slower Responses to Health Crises: If marginalized groups aren’t properly accounted for in research and policy, responses to public health issues—like pandemics or opioid addiction—may not adequately address their needs.
Gaps in Medical Advancements: Research into conditions that disproportionately affect certain groups, such as sickle cell disease (which primarily affects Black individuals), could be deprioritized.
Conclusion
For patients, these changes could mean more difficulty accessing affordable, high-quality healthcare, especially for those who already face systemic barriers. Health outcomes for marginalized groups may worsen, and overall public health efforts could suffer due to limited data and reduced oversight. While wealthier and privately insured individuals may not feel the immediate effects, lower-income and vulnerable populations are likely to bear the brunt of these policy shifts.
Quick Notes:
February 2025, President Trump disbanded a health equity panel that was reviewing Medicare and Medicaid. This panel was intended to identify and reduce disparities in health care based on race and gender identity.
Explanation
Trump directed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to disband the panel.
Researchers warned that the panel's work could be hindered by the broadness of the panel's orders.
The White House told Reuters that the FDA had misinterpreted Trump's executive orders.
Trump said that Medicare and Medicaid would not be affected by the orders.
However, he endorsed a GOP budget proposal that would reduce Medicaid funding.
Other task forces related to health care have disbanded or been replaced, including:
Health Care Industry Cybersecurity Task Force: This task force disbanded after delivering a report.
Medicare and aged care payments division: This division took over from the digital payments services taskforce.