Week 6
The Cost of Control: How New Executive Orders Undermine Public Services, Healthcare, and Economic Stability
Covering executive actions issued between February 24 and March 2, 2025, this report examines policies that impose federal spending freezes, enforce rigid healthcare pricing mandates, and restrict copper imports under the guise of national security. It reveals how these orders threaten essential public services, increase healthcare costs, destabilize key industries, and disproportionately harm marginalized communities, low-income families, and rural healthcare providers.A new wave of executive actions threatens to erode public services, healthcare access, and economic stability under the guise of fiscal responsibility and national security. From slashing agency budgets and freezing essential spending to imposing rigid price controls on healthcare and disrupting global trade, these policies prioritize political optics over real-world impact. These executive orders, issued within a matter of days, claim to enhance efficiency and transparency. Yet, in reality, they introduce chaos—jeopardizing life-saving services, burdening the most vulnerable, and weakening industries that millions of Americans rely on. A 30-day freeze on government spending could leave disaster-stricken communities without aid, while new healthcare pricing mandates risk driving up costs and closing rural hospitals. Meanwhile, copper import restrictions could send ripple effects through critical industries, causing higher consumer prices and potential job losses. Make no mistake: these orders are not about protecting Americans. They are about consolidating power, stripping away regulatory safeguards, and shifting economic burdens onto those least equipped to bear them. If left unchallenged, they could reshape our democracy into a system where efficiency means exclusion, transparency means confusion, and national security means economic instability.
Read more about the executive actions featured in this week's Case of the Mondays blog by clicking on each of the sections below.
Executive Order: Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Cost Efficiency Initiative
Date Issued: Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Agencies Impacted: All federal agencies, including the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Veterans Affairs, and USAID.
This executive order mandates all federal agencies to justify their spending, aiming to cut costs and increase transparency. Each agency must appoint a representative from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to oversee expenses, review contracts, and implement a 30-day freeze on government credit card use. Agencies are also required to submit monthly spending reports to DOGE. While presented as a measure to reduce waste, this order raises concerns about its potential to disrupt essential public services and disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.
This executive action threatens to undermine critical public services by imposing stringent spending reviews and freezes. Communities relying on federal support for education, healthcare, and environmental protection may face reduced services. For example, the Department of Education could see cuts affecting low-income students, while the Environmental Protection Agency might struggle to enforce regulations safeguarding our air and water. Additionally, the 30-day freeze on government credit card usage could delay disaster response efforts, leaving communities vulnerable in times of crisis. These measures disproportionately harm marginalized groups, exacerbating existing inequalities.
In summary, this executive order's aggressive cost-cutting measures risk dismantling vital public services and safety nets. The lack of clarity on implementation details creates uncertainty about which programs will be affected and to what extent. As agencies scramble to comply, the public remains in the dark about potential service disruptions. We must demand transparency and accountability to fully understand the ramifications of this initiative and advocate for the protection of essential services that support all Americans.
Read more about the executive action directly from the Federal Registry.
Executive Order: Making America Healthy Again by Empowering Patients With Clear, Accurate, and Actionable Healthcare Pricing Information
Date Issued: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Agencies Impacted: Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Treasury, Department of Labor
This executive order mandates that federal agencies enforce existing healthcare price transparency regulations. It requires hospitals and health insurers to disclose actual prices for services, not estimates, and to standardize this information across the industry. The order also calls for updated enforcement policies to ensure compliance within 90 days. While transparency in healthcare pricing is essential, this order raises concerns about potential negative impacts on patient care and access.
This executive action could lead to reduced competition among healthcare providers, as mandatory disclosure of negotiated rates may result in price-fixing and higher costs for patients. Small and rural hospitals, already operating on thin margins, might struggle to comply with these requirements, potentially leading to closures and reduced access to care in underserved areas. Patients could face confusion and anxiety when confronted with complex pricing information without proper guidance, hindering their ability to make informed decisions. Moreover, the administrative burden on healthcare providers could divert resources away from patient care, compromising the quality of services. These outcomes disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, exacerbating existing health disparities.
In summary, while the intent to promote transparency is commendable, this executive order may inadvertently harm patients by increasing costs, reducing access, and compromising care quality. The lack of clear guidelines on implementation and enforcement creates uncertainty for healthcare providers and patients alike. As agencies develop the required frameworks over the next 90 days, it is crucial to monitor these developments closely. Stakeholders must advocate for policies that balance transparency with the sustainability of healthcare services to protect all communities.
Read more about the executive action directly from the Federal Registry.
Executive Order: Addressing the Threat to National Security From Imports of Copper
Date Issued: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Agencies Impacted: Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of the Treasury
This executive order directs the Department of Commerce to investigate the national security risks posed by copper imports and to consider measures such as tariffs to boost domestic production. The investigation encompasses all forms of copper imports, including raw mined copper, copper concentrates, refined copper, copper alloys, scrap copper, and derivative products. The order also highlights concerns over the United States' increasing reliance on foreign sources for copper, which is essential for defense applications, infrastructure, and emerging technologies. While aiming to strengthen national security, this action raises alarms about potential economic repercussions and strained international relations.
This executive action threatens to disrupt global trade dynamics and escalate tensions with key copper suppliers, including Canada, Mexico, Chile, and Peru. Imposing tariffs could lead to increased costs for U.S. industries that rely on copper, such as construction, transportation, and electronics, potentially resulting in higher consumer prices and reduced competitiveness. The domestic mining sector may face environmental opposition, delaying efforts to boost local production and leaving the U.S. vulnerable to supply shortages. These economic strains could disproportionately affect low-income communities, exacerbating existing inequalities and hindering access to essential services and technologies.
In summary, while the intent to bolster national security is acknowledged, this executive order may inadvertently harm the U.S. economy and strain diplomatic relations. The lack of immediate domestic capacity to replace imported copper raises concerns about supply chain disruptions and increased costs. As the Department of Commerce conducts its investigation over the next 270 days, the public and industry stakeholders remain uncertain about the potential outcomes and their implications. Close monitoring and active engagement with policymakers are crucial to mitigate adverse effects and ensure that measures taken do not disproportionately impact vulnerable communities.
Read more about the executive action directly from the Federal Registry.
The dangerous consequences of these executive actions cannot be ignored. While framed as necessary reforms, they disproportionately target the most vulnerable, weaken essential services, and undermine economic stability. Freezing federal spending without clear exemptions puts lives at risk. Price transparency without safeguards against market manipulation can make healthcare even more unaffordable. Tariffs on essential imports without domestic capacity to replace them threaten economic chaos.
These are not abstract policy changes—they will have immediate, tangible effects on people’s lives. Americans deserve governance that values their well-being over ideological cost-cutting. The time to act is now. We must demand congressional oversight, legal challenges, and grassroots mobilization to counteract these reckless orders. Silence is not an option when livelihoods, healthcare, and economic stability are on the line.
What are your thoughts?
- The executive orders claim to enhance efficiency, transparency, and national security, yet they seem to introduce instability and hardship for marginalized communities. What does this reveal about the true priorities behind these policies, and who stands to benefit or suffer the most?
- The order imposing price transparency in healthcare is framed as a win for consumers, but it could drive up costs and lead to hospital closures. How can transparency be implemented in a way that actually benefits patients without harming access to care?
- Have you or your community ever been affected by government spending freezes, healthcare access issues, or supply chain disruptions? How do these executive actions compare to past policies you’ve seen in action?
- Given the potential consequences of these executive orders, what steps can individuals and advocacy groups take to push for accountability, mitigate harm, and protect essential public services?