Health costs fueling voter stress, Democratic campaigns

Democrats focus on health care as a key issue in midterm elections amid rising costs

Feb. 7, 2026 at 12:47am

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Democrats are making health care a central focus of their campaigns for the upcoming midterm elections, highlighting rising health care costs as a key issue fueling voter stress. Republicans have cut funding for Medicaid and let COVID-era subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans expire, leading Democrats to criticize GOP policies and share personal health care stories on the campaign trail.

Why it matters

Health care has become a foundational issue for the Democratic party in recent elections, after previously being seen as a political liability. The party believes highlighting Republican efforts to roll back health care coverage and rising costs will help them regain control of Congress in the midterms.

The details

Democrats are filming campaign ads outside struggling hospitals, spotlighting Americans facing spiking insurance premiums, and sharing personal health care stories. They are criticizing Republican votes to cut Medicaid funding and let COVID-era ACA subsidies expire. Republicans defend their actions as reining in health care spending, but have so far failed to pass comprehensive legislation to offset rising costs for Americans.

  • In 2010, Democrats lost their House majority after the Affordable Care Act passed without Republican support.
  • In 2014, Democrats gave up control of the Senate a year after the Obama administration's botched 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

Democrats

The Democratic party, which is making health care a central focus of their campaigns for the upcoming midterm elections.

Republicans

The Republican party, which has cut Medicaid funding and let COVID-era ACA subsidies expire, drawing criticism from Democrats.

President Donald Trump

The former president, whose support for efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare during his first term turned health care into a thorny issue for Republicans.

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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

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.