It’s Halloween, and this election season feels like the spookiest time of all.
Both presidential candidates are dressed up in costumes they’ve worn all year—promising to save health care, but what lies beneath their masks?
This Halloween, let’s look at who has the best tricks (or treats!) for integrated health—that’s both mental health and healthcare.
Kamala Harris: The Caregiver in Disguise
Kamala Harris is all about making health care more accessible. Her costume? She’s the friendly caregiver looking to save everyone from scary health bills and rising costs.
Harris has promised to expand Medicaid, which would help more low-income families get the medical care they need.
She also plans to lower prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies, which would be a treat for seniors who struggle to afford their medications.
When it comes to mental health, Harris wants to ensure that it is covered just like physical health.
She’s pushing for more funding for community mental health programs and wants to put more counselors in schools.
This is her way of tackling the rising anxiety many young people are facing today.
In her costume, Harris promises to be the champion of affordable, integrated health care that doesn’t scare people with unexpected costs.
Donald Trump: The Businessman with a Twist
Donald Trump is in his usual role as the businessman, but he’s taken on a spooky twist.
He promises less government control and more private health care options.
Trump believes that if insurance companies have more competition, prices will drop, which could be good for those looking for more options.
However, this approach might mean that people with less money are left dealing with scary bills, as public programs like Medicaid may not receive the funding they need.
For mental health, Trump’s main focus has been on veterans.
He believes in providing more private sector options for those in need of mental health services.
This means veterans may get more targeted care, but the broader mental health system might not see the changes it desperately needs.
Who’s the Real Treat for Integrated Health?
While both candidates have their costumes on, it’s important to peek beneath the masks.
Harris aims to expand access to health care by improving public programs and making mental health support more available for everyone.
Her costume might look like a caregiver, but her goal is to be the hero for those who can’t afford health care or mental health support.
On the other hand, Trump is the businessman who wants less government control and more competition.
He thinks this will make health care cheaper, but it could also mean that many are left in the dark without enough support.
His focus is more on letting the market do the work, but for those who are struggling, this could be a trick without much of a treat.
The Real Halloween Scare: Health Care Stress
This election feels like a Halloween horror story because people are stressed out, losing sleep, and even developing health issues because of the political chaos.
Many are disassociating, trying to block out the noise, or attaching themselves to a political identity.
The stakes are high for integrated health, and whether you’re a fan of the caregiver or the businessman, what matters most is which plan can actually deliver treats—not tricks—when it comes to caring for the whole person, physically and mentally.
This Halloween, we see two very different costumes: Kamala Harris, the caregiver, promising more public access and help for mental health, and Donald Trump, the businessman, pushing for less government and more private care.
As voters, it’s up to us to decide which costume is just a trick and which one brings the real treats when it comes to integrated health care.
No matter who wins, it’s clear that America needs a health care system that supports both mental and physical well-being—one that treats people, not just patients.
