Election 2024
from drew altman
The Role of Health Care in the New Presidential Election
In his latest column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman describes the role of health care in the new presidential election with Vice President Harris facing former President Donald Trump. He discusses how health will likely be a consequential factor in the campaign, with abortion and reproductive rights, along with health care costs, taking center stage.
![](https://www.kff.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BTDElection2024_web.png)
Abortion Analysis and Data
Status of Abortion-Related State Constitutional Amendment Measures
Since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, voters in six states have weighed in on constitutional amendments regarding abortion, and the side favoring access to abortion prevailed in every state.
In 2024, up to 15 states may have abortion measures on their ballot seeking to either affirm that the state constitution protects the right to abortion or that nothing in the constitution confers such a right. Our tracker shows in which states abortion-related constitutional amendment measures are confirmed or under consideration for the 2024 election.
In 2024, up to 15 states may have abortion measures on their ballot seeking to either affirm that the state constitution protects the right to abortion or that nothing in the constitution confers such a right. Our tracker shows in which states abortion-related constitutional amendment measures are confirmed or under consideration for the 2024 election.
![](https://www.kff.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/240426_Status-of-Abortion-Related-State-Const-Amend-Measures_FI.png)
KFF Health News Logo
Latest News
OUTLook
It’s Not a Health Care Election, But Health Issues Might Still Add Up
KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explains that while the 2024 election will not be dominated by health care, abortion will be in the spotlight and potentially a few other health issues, including threats to the ACA, Medicaid expansion, drug costs and affordability concerns.
The election has enormous implications for health policy. A Democratic White House can be expected to continue to build on public programs such as the ACA, Medicaid and Medicare, and protect reproductive rights. A Trump administration could be expected to move generally in the opposite direction on the ACA and Medicaid, and abortion.
The election has enormous implications for health policy. A Democratic White House can be expected to continue to build on public programs such as the ACA, Medicaid and Medicare, and protect reproductive rights. A Trump administration could be expected to move generally in the opposite direction on the ACA and Medicaid, and abortion.
![](https://www.kff.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/240404_Health-Care-Policy-in-2024-Election_FI.png)
The Affordable Care Act
5 Charts About Public Opinion on the Affordable Care Act
Public opinion of the ACA has been largely divided along partisan lines since the law was passed. Overall, about six in ten U.S. adults hold a favorable opinion of the ACA while about four in ten hold a negative view. However, nearly nine in ten Democrats along with over half of independents view the law favorably, while about two thirds of Republicans hold unfavorable views.
Many specific provisions in the law are popular, including prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage based on a person’s medical history and banning insurers from charging higher premiums for people with pre-existing conditions.
Many specific provisions in the law are popular, including prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage based on a person’s medical history and banning insurers from charging higher premiums for people with pre-existing conditions.
![](https://www.kff.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/240322_Majority-of-Public-View-ACA-Favorably_FI.png)
Medicare
3 Charts About Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
The public overwhelmingly supports allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, including majorities of Democrats and Republicans. Substantial support persists after hearing arguments for and against the idea. KFF polling also shows that a large majority of people, including most older adults on Medicare, are unaware or unsure that there is a law on the books that requires the government to conduct these negotiations. Moreover, less than half of older adults know about other provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that could save Medicare beneficiaries money.
![](https://www.kff.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/240307_Overwhelm-Support-for-Medicare-Drug-Price-Negotiations_FI.png)