Rising Health Care Costs Emerge as Central Issue Ahead of Midterm Elections

Analysts say affordability concerns are shaping voter priorities as spending climbs and households cut back to cover medical expenses

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Escalating health care costs are expected to play a decisive role in the upcoming midterm elections, with analysts citing growing financial pressure on households and heightened voter concern across party lines.

A report found that affordability challenges tied to medical care are increasingly influencing political priorities as voters prepare to head to the polls. Additional reporting has highlighted mounting concerns among families struggling to keep up with rising costs.

“Health care costs will likely play a major role in the midterms this fall,” said Shannon Schumacher, senior survey analyst for KFF’s public opinion and survey research program. “The economy is usually a top electoral issue, and this year we’re seeing health care costs rise to the top of people’s economic concerns,” she told the outlet.

Polling data supports that trend. In a January survey, respondents reported greater concern about affording health care than other basic needs, including housing and groceries.

“Looking ahead to the midterms, health care costs are motivating voters across party lines, with substantial shares of voters saying the issue will have a ‘major impact’ on their decisions this fall,” Schumacher said. She added that while the issue currently resonates more strongly with Democratic and independent voters, “a majority of Republican voters also say it will impact their decision to vote and which party’s candidate they will vote for.”

Federal data shows continued growth in national health expenditures. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, U.S. health care spending rose 7.2% in 2024 to $5.3 trillion, or $15,474 per person, accounting for 18% of the nation’s gross domestic product, according to official figures. Costs are projected to rise another 7.6% in 2026, according to reporting.

Survey data indicates that rising costs are affecting household behavior. Lunna Lopes, a senior survey manager at KFF, said many individuals are reducing spending on essentials to manage medical expenses. In a follow-up survey, 51% of returning enrollees reported that premiums, deductibles, or copays were “a lot higher,” while 55% said they had cut back on food or other necessities to afford care.

Affordability challenges are particularly acute among the uninsured. A January report found that uninsured individuals are roughly twice as likely to struggle with health care costs compared to those with coverage.

Analysts also point to structural factors in the health care system. Robert Moffit, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said market concentration contributes to rising prices. “Ninety percent of our hospital markets are highly concentrated, dominated by [a] few giant hospital corporations; health insurance markets are often dominated by one or two or three huge insurance companies,” he said.

“Where there is no competition, there is no choice. Where there is no choice or competition, there is no way to control cost, unless the option — like ‘single-payer’ — is to set a hard global budget and then deny, delay or ration medical care,” Moffit added.

Prescription drug prices remain another pressure point. A federal analysis found that U.S. drug prices were nearly 2.78 times higher than those in other countries as of 2022.

Political messaging around the issue is intensifying. Democrats are developing strategies focused on affordability ahead of the elections, while Republican leaders have emphasized policy changes aimed at increasing competition and reducing costs.

American Commitment President Phil Kerpen said Republicans have policy proposals addressing consolidation and market dynamics but often fail to communicate them effectively. “Their problem is they never talk about health care or really push these ideas except defensively when Democrats are pressing the issue, which is why Democrats usually have an advantage on the health care issue,” he said.

President Donald Trump has also outlined a plan targeting drug prices, insurance premiums, and transparency, according to a White House announcement. Economists have suggested that regulatory changes and adjustments to subsidy structures could help address affordability challenges.

Thomas Savidge of the American Institute for Economic Research said policy changes should focus on reducing distortions in the system. “The best way the president and CMS can improve health care affordability is by cracking down on improper subsidies, ending automatic enrollment, and changing rules to expand lower-cost plan options,” he said.

Medical debt remains widespread. A KFF analysis found that about 14 million Americans owe more than $1,000 in medical debt, including roughly 3 million who owe more than $10,000.

Party leaders continue to frame the issue as a priority. Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement that his party would not “accept a status quo where Americans delay treatment or ration their prescriptions because they can’t afford the skyrocketing health care costs caused by Donald Trump and Republicans.”

Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa, who is running for Senate, said in a Jan. 8 post that she “will not support the status quo of health care in America today, it’s a disaster,” adding that “both parties are to blame for this mess.”

With costs continuing to rise and voters reporting increased financial strain, analysts say health care affordability is likely to remain a central issue shaping electoral decisions in the months ahead.