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The Executive Order 13997, titled "Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for COVID-19," aims to enhance healthcare systems and accelerate the development of COVID-19 therapies. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other partners to support research, especially in underserved areas, to study the long-term impacts of COVID-19. The order also seeks to increase the capacity of healthcare facilities and improve access to affordable healthcare by addressing barriers and promoting insurance coverage for treatments. Additionally, it underscores the need for equitable distribution of COVID-19 treatments while ensuring the order does not conflict with existing laws or create enforceable rights.

The memorandum dated January 24, 2025, involves a decision by the President to revoke an earlier memorandum from January 28, 2021, concerning international health policies, and to reinstate a policy from January 23, 2017, known as The Mexico City Policy. This policy requires that U.S. government funds for global health assistance will not support organizations involved in coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. The Secretary of State, along with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, is instructed to ensure that these guidelines are enforced when providing global health funds.

The Executive Order aims to stop schools and universities from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for students. It emphasizes that federal funds should not support educational institutions imposing these requirements. The Secretary of Education is tasked with issuing guidelines and creating a plan, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to address and end coercive vaccine mandates while considering parental rights and religious freedoms. The order ensures that its implementation respects existing laws and does not create enforceable rights against the U.S. government.

The executive order establishes the President's Make America Healthy Again Commission to tackle health issues in the United States, focusing particularly on chronic diseases. The Commission, led by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, will consist of various government officials who will study the childhood chronic disease crisis and recommend strategies. Within 100 and 180 days, the Commission will submit assessments and strategies to the President, identifying causes and solutions for health problems. These initiatives aim to significantly reduce chronic disease rates and promote healthier lifestyles among Americans, especially children.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has restructured its All of Us Research Program, moving it from the NIH Office of the Director to the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives. This reorganization was approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in December 2024. Additionally, they established a new program office focused on environmental health impacts on children. The changes aim to improve research efforts and enhance collaboration among different health initiatives.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced the receipt of petitions for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This program offers compensation to individuals injured by specific childhood vaccines. Petitions are filed with the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services is tasked with responding. A list of the petitions, including names and locations, was provided, and interested individuals can submit relevant information to support the cases.