Health Costs Fuel Voter Stress, Become Key Issue for Democrats

Republicans defend cuts to Medicaid and ACA subsidies, but Democrats see an opening to win over voters

Feb. 7, 2026 at 4:31am

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As President Trump's second term continues, health care has emerged as a central issue for Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections. With Republicans cutting around $1 trillion from Medicaid and declining to extend COVID-era Affordable Care Act subsidies, Democrats are highlighting the impact on Americans' health care costs through campaign ads, rallies, and personal stories. While Republicans defend the moves as reining in spending, Democrats believe the issue will be a 'banger' for them in 2026.

Why it matters

Health care was once a political liability for Democrats, but the party believes it has now become a strength after Republicans' efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. With voters increasingly worried about rising health care costs, Democrats see an opportunity to win over voters and regain control of Congress in the midterms.

The details

Republicans last year cut around $1 trillion over a decade from Medicaid and declined to extend COVID-era subsidies that had lowered the cost of Affordable Care Act health plans. In response, Democrats are highlighting the impact on Americans' health care costs through campaign ads, rallies, and personal stories. Republicans defend the moves as reining in ballooning health spending and cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse, but the party has been unable so far to pass comprehensive legislation to offset Americans' health costs.

  • In 2010, Democrats lost their House majority after President Barack Obama's signature health policy, the ACA, passed without a single Republican vote.
  • In 2014, Democrats gave up the Senate a year after the Obama administration fumbled the rollout of Healthcare.gov.
  • In 2025, enhanced ACA tax credits were headed toward expiration, leading to a government shutdown as Democrats fought to restore the funding.

The players

President Donald Trump

The current president, whose second term has presented an array of opportunities for political opponents, from immigration crackdowns and lingering inflation to attacks on independent institutions and friction with overseas allies.

Sen. Jon Ossoff

A Democratic senator from Georgia who is one of the party's most endangered incumbents this year and is expected to highlight health care challenges at a campaign rally.

Brad Woodhouse

A longtime Democratic strategist and executive director of the advocacy group Protect Our Care.

Ron Bonjean

A Republican strategist who said the health care issue would remain his party's 'Achilles' heel' until its leaders draft realistic proposals that can be turned into law.

Teresa Acosta

A frequent speaker for Democratic candidates who says her ACA policy, which covers herself and two teenagers, including a son with Type 1 diabetes, now costs $520 a month, seven times more than before expanded subsidies went away.

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What they’re saying

“It's a banger of an issue for Democrats. I think it will be part of every single campaign, up and down the ballot.”

— Brad Woodhouse, Democratic strategist and executive director of Protect Our Care

“Republicans own it now. You better believe Democrats are going to be talking about that.”

— Eric Stern, Democratic media strategist

“I think most people would agree that health care is a human right, and the Republicans seem hellbent on weakening access to it.”

— Teresa Acosta

“For the last 15 years, when you said health care, they'd dive out the window and barrel roll into a bush and hide. We're the party of good policy, and so we should be writing policy, and we need to embrace this.”

— U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Wisconsin Republican

What’s next

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The takeaway

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