
President Trump promised during his campaign that he would ask Congress to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act on his first day in office. And while there's much uncertainty as to what the Republicans' plan will look like, last week we got some insight into the First Lady's opinions on medicine. Particularly, that she endorses alternative therapies.
Melania visited the Children's National Health System, a hospital in Washington, D.C., where she met with doctors and patients. She toured a healing garden, planted seeds with some of the sick children, and discussed "how the gift of nature and the beauties of the outdoors can contribute to the healing process."
The First Lady later said she is "a passionate believer in integrating and interpreting nature's elements into our daily lives to create a warm, nurturing, and positive environment," according to a statement released by the hospital.
"I believe that these same natural benefits can be instrumental to enhancing the health and well-being of all children," she said.
Though her comments make sense in the context of planting seeds with patients, Trump's comments are a bit awkward when examined in today's larger healthcare narrative. Her husband has vowed to dismantle Obamacare, a move that experts say would cause nearly 20 million people to lose their health insurance.
Many natural remedies are not required to undergo testing or approval by the FDA, and most are not covered by insurance.
Trump said he would fix Obamacare "by following free market principles and working together to create sound public policy that will broaden healthcare access, make healthcare more affordable, and improve the quality of the care available to all Americans," in his first speech after he was elected in November.
Thank you for welcoming me @ChildrensHealth. My prayers and thoughts are with all of the children and families. #GROWUPSTRONGER pic.twitter.com/J8JoFTXniwMarch 1, 2017
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