Health Costs Fuel Voter Stress, Spur Democratic Campaigns

Republicans face backlash over cuts to Medicaid, expiration of ACA subsidies

Feb. 7, 2026 at 5:15am

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With President Trump's second term presenting opportunities for political opponents, many Democrats are staying focused on health care as a key issue. Republicans' votes to cut Medicaid and let COVID-era ACA subsidies expire have fueled voter stress, and Democrats are highlighting personal health care stories in their campaigns. While Republicans defend their actions as reining in spending, the party has struggled to pass comprehensive legislation to offset Americans' health costs.

Why it matters

Health care has become a foundational issue for the Democratic party in recent elections, with voters increasingly concerned about rising costs. The expiration of ACA subsidies and cuts to Medicaid have left many Americans struggling to afford coverage, providing an opening for Democrats to capitalize on voter frustrations.

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 filming campaign spots outside struggling hospitals, spotlighting Americans facing spiking insurance premiums and sharing their own personal health care stories. While Republicans defend their votes as reining in ballooning health spending, 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.
  • Last year, lawmakers passed a bill expected to cut more than $1 trillion over a decade from federal health care and food assistance.

The players

President Donald Trump

The current president, whose second term has presented an array of opportunities for political opponents.

Sen. Jon Ossoff

A Democratic senator from Georgia who is one of the party's most endangered incumbents this year.

Teresa Acosta

A frequent speaker for Democratic candidates who has seen her ACA policy costs rise significantly.

U.S. Rep. Mike Collins

A Republican opponent of Sen. Ossoff who voted against a temporary ACA tax-credit extension.

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter

A Republican opponent of Sen. Ossoff who worked as a pharmacist and criticized the ACA as the 'Unaffordable Care Act.'

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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, Longtime Democratic strategist and executive director of Protect Our Care (Newser)

“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 (Newser)

“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 (Newser)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.