On February 13, 2025, the White House signed an executive order establishing the Make America Healthy Again Commission, a sweeping initiative aimed at reversing the nation’s alarming rise in chronic disease, particularly among children. While the focus may appear to be on public health, this policy carries significant implications for employer-sponsored group health insurance, future healthcare costs, and how brokers and HR teams plan employee benefits.
The executive order highlights a harsh reality:
6 in 10 Americans have at least one chronic disease
90% of the nation’s $4.5 trillion in healthcare spending goes toward chronic and mental health conditions
Nearly 1 in 2 children suffer from at least one long-term health condition
This chronic disease crisis is not just a public health issue — it directly translates into higher group insurance premiums, rising absenteeism, reduced productivity, and escalating employer healthcare costs.
The Commission’s goal is to reduce chronic illness through prevention, transparency, and systemic reform — although nothing is guaranteed and we have a long way to go — all of which could reduce the long-term financial burden on employers and insurers.
Key provisions of the initiative include:
Prioritizing root-cause health research over pharmaceutical-driven treatment
Promoting lifestyle and nutrition-focused coverage options
Incentivizing preventive care and wellness education
Supporting insurance flexibility to cover treatments that promote long-term health outcomes
For HR leaders, benefits managers, and brokers, this opens the door to advocate for insurance plans that prioritize:
Nutritional counseling
Mental health education
Preventive screenings and early intervention
Comprehensive wellness programs
Insurers may begin offering richer preventive care benefits with lower out-of-pocket costs — especially if federal guidance or incentives make these models more profitable and sustainable.
The long-term financial impact of a healthier population could be transformative:
Lower chronic disease rates mean fewer claims, which could slow the growth of medical premiums
Employers may see reduced long-term health risk scores across their covered populations
Workplace productivity and engagement may increase with improved employee health
If the Commission is successful in driving measurable health improvements — especially among children who will enter the workforce over the next two decades — group plans could shift from being reactive to truly preventive, potentially resetting the cost curve of healthcare in America.
The Make America Healthy Again Commission isn't just a public health move — it’s the beginning of a potential healthcare transformation.
Employers who embrace this shift now by investing in wellness-first benefits, employee education, and prevention-focused insurance could be at the forefront of a healthier, more cost-efficient future.
Stay ahead of this national shift by evaluating your current plan structure and exploring options that align with future-forward health and wellness objectives.
Contact us today to get started promoting a healthier lifestyle for your workforce!