A Guide to the Role of Health in the Midterms Author: Drew Altman Published: Oct 7, 2026 (+++) +...

https://www.kff.org/from-drew-altman/a-guide-to-the-role-of-health-in-the-midterms/?utm_campaign=55398279-KFF-Elections&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--pCSUiBH3USMGPaOlI-igcRcvq4GXHfZg2TQYl2PImmYPII1kZJGXSSAnTZ2gGBaHLi3nu4dqsThWx641DxsbVFHzd9A&_hsmi=443891503&utm_content=443891503&utm_source=hs_email From Drew Altman: A Guide to the Role of Health in the Midterms In a new column, Founding President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman says health care costs are playing a significant role in the midterms as one dimension of voters’ concerns about cost of living, and explains why pollsters, analysts, and candidates should look at it that way, and not as a separate voting issue. He writes, “The ‘issue’ that matters most in this election is cost of living and the cost of health care is a central element of it for voters.” KFF Health Tracking Poll: Health Care Issues in the Lead-Up to the 2026 Midterm Election Authors: Shannon Schumacher, Isabelle Valdes, Mardet Mulugeta, Audrey Kearney, Ashley Kirzinger, and Liz Hamel Published: Oct 6, 2026 https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/kff-health-tracking-poll-health-care-issues-in-the-lead-up-to-the-2026-midterm-election/?utm_campaign=55398279-KFF-Elections&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz---_fHdDvKb9DnYNsm8LyrCWlB9EAoQU9Lt53HhhOzHqVbEzBnvSOrshGzMyS4lJXRx8dj0rdAKdkkrU-9sta4maSy3yQ&_hsmi=443891503&utm_content=443891503&utm_source=hs_email Current and Historical Public Opinion on Medicare-for-All and Other National Health Plan Proposals Published: Oct 6, 2026 https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/current-and-historical-public-opinion-on-medicare-for-all-and-other-national-health-plan-proposals/?utm_campaign=55398279-KFF-Elections&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8-5LRRh6xlZOmc-9jX2S0t7NEKg6tcZ3oQej25LnS5US87brluheU5E8YvORSpIVeMFntFjwnw2TebxKYnbcMmPzL8Zw&_hsmi=443891503&utm_content=443891503&utm_source=hs_email KFF/AP Rural Voters Survey Authors: Alex Montero, Shannon Schumacher, Julian Montalvo III, Ashley Kirzinger, and Liz Hamel Published: Sep 23, 2026 https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/kff-ap-rural-voters-survey/?utm_campaign=55398279-KFF-Elections&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8pV2kuXflGyOWTFxEusrg-jEHt_qr_lWeWkQ481HfTyRqy4ze6CjxyMANrwAS-p2IotnwsywDweNUjjEM7T5bycciCEA&_hsmi=443891503&utm_content=443891503&utm_source=hs_email KFF/AP Survey Probes Rural Voters’ Increasing Anxieties About the Rising Cost of Living, Including Health Costs, Heading into the Midterm Elections The KFF/AP Rural Voters Survey examines the views and political priorities of voters living in rural areas across the United States ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The survey gauges rural voters' top election issues, growing struggles with cost of living and health care costs, as well as views on the Trump administration's health care policies. Health News ‘Medicare for All’ Message Attracts Voters Buckling Under Medical Bills The idea of scrapping the U.S. health insurance system for a massive expansion of government-funded healthcare isn’t new. But voters hit by ballooning private health insurance costs are rallying behind midterm candidates calling for universal coverage. (KFF Health News) Midterms Have Revived Universal Healthcare Debate. These States Are Ahead of Everyone. While Democratic congressional candidates are floating the restoration of federal Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid funding, Oregon officials are crafting a more ambitious plan to implement universal coverage in their state. (KFF Health News) Abortion Is on the Ballot Again as Post-Roe Policies Continue To Evolve Four states will vote on abortion-related ballot measures in November, marking the fourth time in five years that millions of Americans will weigh in on their states’ abortion rules. The measures follow the Supreme Court’s "Dobbs" decision, which upended federal abortion protections. (KFF Health News) 'What the Health?' Podcast: Midterm Madness In the latest episode of What the Health?, KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner and panelists discuss how health care affordability is shaping the midterms, including President Trump’s efforts to address rising costs through drug pricing deals and payments to some Medicare and ACA enrollees. They also examine how states and health care providers are already making cuts in anticipation of federal Medicaid funding reductions. (KFF Health News)