Philanthropist and TCP Founder Howard Kessler Says Trump Administration’s Pilot Framework Will Revolutionize Senior Healthcare
Washington, D.C. – The Commonwealth Project (TCP) – an organization founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Howard Kessler committed to revolutionizing healthcare for the 65+ population – today released the following statement commending President Donald J. Trump for signing an Executive Order that reschedules cannabis and unlocks the power of Medicare to cover cannabinoid-based therapies (CBT) for seniors, together the most significant reform in federal drug policy in decades.
This executive action reflects a bold reestablishment of leadership on an issue long paralyzed by partisan and regulatory gridlock. With this move, the President has successfully reclaimed the narrative on medical innovation, delivering a solution that reduces healthcare costs and immediately gives millions of seniors safe and affordable access to CBT.
“President Trump’s executive order has unleashed a seismic shift in healthcare—one of the boldest breakthroughs in generations. While the rescheduling of cannabis will dominate the headlines, it’s his revolutionary pilot Medicare program that brings immediate, life-altering relief and access to cannabinoid-based therapies for millions of seniors grappling with chronic pain and debilitating conditions,” said Howard Kessler, founder of The Commonwealth Project. “We’ve championed the profound medical benefits of CBT for our aging population, and today, the President has transformed that vision into action. Hats off to him for heeding the evidence, leading with compassion, and smashing barriers so seniors can access the care they deserve—now. For seniors, CBT is a game-changer offering safe, evidence-based options for chronic conditions that traditional meds often fail.”
The Executive Order aligns directly with the visionary roadmap designed and championed by The Commonwealth Project (TCP) and its founder, Howard Kessler, who as a philanthropist has spearheaded the movement to integrate CBT into mainstream healthcare for seniors. Since founding the Commonwealth Project in 2019, Kessler has drawn from more than three decades of experience at the forefront of the financial services industry to work with the federal government and healthcare leaders to revolutionize senior health care, by providing them with safe access to cannabinoid-based therapies.
In response to Kessler’s relentless efforts to expand access to this care, 4.5 million seniors will now have the ability to utilize these life-changing therapies. TCP research shows more than 80% of participants in senior care pilots reported positive impacts, with nearly three quarters of participants finding CBT more affordable than traditional prescriptions. President Trump shared a TCP video on Truth Social in September showing the benefits of the treatments for seniors.
The Commonwealth Project has consistently urged federal agencies to implement a real-world, value-based demonstration project. The Executive Order realizes this vision by establishing a federally reimbursed model that treats cannabinoid-based therapies as a prescribed medicine for seniors battling severe illnesses – a move Kessler noted serves as a critical first step toward broader application. By directing federal agencies to open the door for Medicare to be used for seniors to access CBT, the Administration is adopting a model Kessler has long argued is essential to gather real-world data, validate health outcomes, and calculate savings for the nation’s aging population.
“President Trump’s pilot program embodies the gold standard we’ve long advocated for at The Commonwealth Project. It shifts us from anecdotes to rigorous, real-world data on health outcomes and cost savings. As a senior who’s battled leukemia and who understands the game-changing relief of CBT as a complementary therapy, I know this turns access into a basic right for every senior in need, free from the financial hurdles that hold so many back,” continued Kessler.
About The Commonwealth Project
The Commonwealth Project is a philanthropic organization dedicated to reforming America’s healthcare approach to medical cannabis. Founded by Howard Kessler, the project focuses on data-driven solutions that prioritize patient care, economic innovation, and the well-being of America’s seniors.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Megan Stencel at megan@javelindc.com or 703-490-8845.