Trump and Kennedy's health industry deals haven't been enforced and are at risk of vanishing

August 25, 2026 / 5:00 AM EDT / KFF Health News

Trump and Kennedy's health industry deals haven't been enforced and are at risk of vanishing

TL;DR

  • The Trump administration has focused on voluntary agreements with health industries to improve public health and lower costs.
  • These agreements, including those related to artificial dyes and prior authorization, often lack enforcement and transparent oversight.
  • Critics argue that these deals are more about political publicity than substantial, lasting change.
  • Initiatives like the removal of artificial dyes from food have faced delays, with many companies not meeting promised deadlines.
  • Insurance companies' pledges to reduce prior authorization have also fallen short, with limited progress and no public dashboards to track compliance.
  • Republicans view this approach as a winning strategy that aligns with their anti-regulatory stance and allows them to tout accomplishments.
  • The effectiveness of these voluntary deals is questioned, with concerns that they may unravel once political attention fades.
  • The administration's drug pricing agreements, termed 'most-favored-nation,' also rely on voluntary arrangements with limited scope and unknown long-term impact.