Steep increases in premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs — and doctors asking for payment up front — are pushing healthcare affordability into the center of competitive midterm races. Candidates are proposing different remedies as voters respond to what they see at the doctor’s office.
Journalists link current cost pressures to political debate similar to the early 2000s that produced the Affordable Care Act.
Recent federal policy changes and budget decisions are already affecting coverage and affordability for millions, including nearly 2 million children at risk of losing insurance.
KFF Health News Skip to main content Health Hub Sticker Shock at the Doctor's Office Could Motivate Midterm Voters 0:00 0:00 Produced in partnership with: 18, 2026 Republish Healthcare prices are likely to keep increasing next year. As midterm elections approach, candidates are laying out their plans to tackle these growing expenses.
"Now you get there, and they say, 'Can we have your credit card?' before you even get to go in and get your care," Rovner said. Julie Rovner jrovner@kff.org Related Topics Elections Healthcare Costs Audio Deductibles Multimedia Out-Of-Pocket Costs Premiums Health Hub We Want To Hear From You Do you have a question or comment for the KFF Health News team? By Julie Rovner June 5, 2026 Economic Frustration Tests Trump's Standing With Rural Voters, New KFF-AP Poll Finds By Sarah Jane Tribble, Ali Swenson, The Associated Press, and Linley Sanders, The Associated Press Sept.
Sticker Shock at the Doctor's Office Could Motivate Midterm Voters. Confusion about who Medicaid will cover under the new rules.
Community Catalyst #VoteLikeHealth campaign finds voters bringing insurance coverage and affordability to the voting booth BOSTON, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In the weeks since the launch of the Vote Like Your Health Depends On It campaign (#VoteLikeHealth) by Community...
Health care is at the center of a political debate as millions of Americans struggle with rising costs. Enrollment in the marketplaces created by the ACA dropped this year, mainly due to the expiration of federal credits. Vice President Vance also announced plans to cancel coverage for nearly 760,000 people, citing cla
If you think the Make America Healthy Again initiative is moving along too slowly, then vote smart this November.
In one Virginia race and others, Democrats are highlighting the rising costs of health care and possible closures of facilities, putting Republicans on defense.
Rising healthcare costs have been a major issue for lawmakers and patients in recent years.
With the expiration of enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans, thousands of Georgians are paying more for coverage or going uninsured. In one of the state's reddest districts, the economic impact is growing faster than the political fallout.
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