Auburn historian presents comparative health care policy analysis to Swedish Society of Medicine

10/30/2024

Zachary Schulz, an Auburn University history lecturer and public health historian, recently delivered a Zoom presentation to the Swedish Society of Medicine (SSM) titled "Healthcare Policy in Focus: Trump vs. Harris and the Future of American Healthcare." The talk provided a detailed analysis of how health care policies under Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump would address challenges within the U.S. and potentially resonate on a global scale.

Schulz's presentation covered critical health care issues under each candidate's influence, including Medicare, drug pricing, public health infrastructure, the Affordable Care Act and abortion rights. By aligning these U.S. policy strategies with Sweden's universal health care model, Schulz facilitated an insightful discussion on how American policy decisions impact both national and international health care landscapes.

"Whether it's Medicare access or pandemic preparedness, health care policy isn't just about numbers; it's about lives affected across borders," Schulz said during the presentation. "Both Harris's and Trump's records offer lessons that are significant not only for Americans but for countries like Sweden, which prioritize health care equity and preparedness."

The presentation led to an engaging exchange on each candidate's potential influence on issues that extend beyond U.S. borders, such as drug pricing and crisis response frameworks. Schulz noted that while Harris's approach emphasizes universal access and investment in public health, Trump's record reflects fiscal restraint and regulatory cuts—strategies that sparked questions from SSM attendees on how these differing policies might impact Sweden's centralized health care model.

Founded in 1808, the Swedish Society of Medicine supports cross-cultural health care learning and invests over SEK 30 million annually in medical research. Schulz's lecture demonstrated Auburn University's commitment to global understanding, connecting diverse health care perspectives from both sides of the Atlantic.