Trump Administration Shuts Down Public Input, Undermining Transparency, Health Equity and
Good Policy

Dear Jack,

Earlier this year, the Trump Administration rescinded the “Richardson waiver,” ending over 50 years of precedent in seeking public comment for major policy decisions at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In doing so, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. departed from his promise of “radical transparency,” and removed key tools that strengthen government accountability and transparency, encourage more responsive and inclusive policies, and bolster pathways for improved health access and care.

Families USA's newest blog highlights ways that the Trump administration's recission of the Richardson waiver undermines public participation in policymaking. Robust, accessible public comment periods allow impacted communities to highlight how proposed agency action could create or worsen health disparities and barriers to health care. The recission of the Richardson waiver undermines this system, creating barriers to progress in health equity. This blog provides more background on the importance of the Richardson waiver and public comment, and what we are doing to demand accountability.