How health care is on the ballot in the midterms
As millions of Americans head to polling sites Tuesday for midterm elections, health care will be on the minds of many of them.
Health care costs, from insurance premiums to prescription drugs, have continued to rise for many, straining wallets.
While one's financial situation is usually a strong consideration in voting decisions, the impact of health care costs is no different. A poll from health policy organization KFF released in October found that health care and gas expenses were tied as their top economic concern.
A quarter of those queried said that they are "very worried" about affording health care costs, and 35% are "somewhat worried" about it.
That same poll found that 42% trust Democrats to do a better job handling health care costs compared to 22%.
Americans who receive their insurance coverage through Affordable Care Act exchanges could especially have health care on their minds. A KFF analysis released in late October found that premiums on those marketplaces will increase by an average of 13% for silver tier plans.
Many who previously received subsidies for ACA coverage were left with significantly higher premiums in 2025 after enhanced premium tax credits in place beginning in 2021 expired on Jan. 1 of this year. If the Democrats gain control of both chambers of Congress as prediction markets say will happen, those subsidies could be reinstated. That could be a potential boon to insurers.
While President Trump has boasted about lowering prescription drug prices through his "most favored nation" policy and TrumpRx website, the reality is somewhat different.
A recent study found that exemptions and agreements with pharmaceutical companies could eliminate up to 80% of these savings.
An AARP Public Policy Institute report released in February found that the retail prices for 253 widely used brand name drugs declined by an average of 1.4% from 2006 to 2024, mostly due to significant decreases in inhaler and insulin products.
However, ~75% of brand-name drugs had a price increase in 2024, and ~50% had price increases greater than the general inflation rate of 3%.