**Trump's Second Term Could Reshape Health Care and Public Health in Minnesota**

Donald J. Trump's second presidency might bring substantial changes to health care and public health in Minnesota, especially if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is given a platform to influence federal health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trump’s intention to let Kennedy critically assess these agencies has raised alarms among public health officials.

Former Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm expressed concerns regarding Kennedy, particularly at a time when Minnesota is grappling with the consequences of reduced vaccination rates. The state recorded the second-highest incidence of measles in the U.S. this year. Malcolm criticized Kennedy’s stance, calling him a denier of established science and warning that his influence might further erode public trust in health guidelines post-pandemic. "We've got to rebuild trust in science and public health," Malcolm stated. "I don't know how you do that if you can't agree that there are facts."

Contrastingly, Dr. Scott Jensen, a physician in Watertown and former Republican gubernatorial candidate, endorsed Trump’s approach, portraying Kennedy as a necessary skeptic who could drive important discussions on the safety of vaccines and other health products. Jensen asserted, "Sometimes we need to invite the naysayers, we need to invite in the skeptics, and say, 'Tell us why you are skeptical.'"

Following the election, the market reacted positively to the prospect of a Trump administration, with the S&P 500 climbing 2.5% to a record high last Wednesday. Notably, UnitedHealth Group, based in Minnetonka, saw its stock rise by more than 5%. However, major medical technology firms experienced mixed results, with Abbott Laboratories seeing a decline, while Medtronic and Boston Scientific saw slight gains.

Investment analysts have expressed concerns that legislative changes to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid during Trump’s second term could reduce coverage and consequently lower the use of medical devices. However, there is optimism that a shift to Republican leadership might benefit insurers involved in Medicare Advantage, the privatized alternative for senior health insurance that faced financial strains under Biden's policies.

One area of contention is Kennedy’s recent suggestion to overhaul and eliminate key divisions within the Food and Drug Administration, claiming the agency is overly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry. Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, criticized Kennedy’s tendency to misinterpret scientific data, warning that his anti-science stance could undermine public health.

The implications of these potential policy shifts are crucial, as the balance between scientific integrity and public skepticism continues to shape the future of health care in Minnesota and beyond.