Politics - Research and Data from KFF

A Note on How the War in Iran May Affect Health Care in the Midterms

Mar 23, 2026

From Drew Altman

In a new column, Dr. Drew Altman, KFF’s President and CEO, discusses the impact of the war in Iran and rising gas prices on voter concerns about health care costs. He writes: “Recently, we saw health care costs rise to the top of the public’s list of economic worries, ahead of food, housing, utility costs and the cost of gas….Expect gas prices to rise and health care costs to fall on the list of affordability worries while the war in Iran lasts, but then to return to the top or near the top when President Trump decides to declare the major hostilities over, the Strait of Hormuz is open, and gas prices come down….health care costs have staying power as one of the top voter concerns.”

KFF Follow-Up Survey of Marketplace Enrollees: Following End of Enhanced Credits, Half of Marketplace Enrollees Now Say Costs Are a Lot Higher, Most Expect to Cut Back on Basic Household Expenses to Afford Coverage

Mar 19, 2026

News Release

Following the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits for people with Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans, a new KFF follow-up survey of the same Marketplace enrollees KFF surveyed in 2025 finds half (51%) of returning enrollees say their health care costs are “a lot higher” this year compared to last year, including four in ten who specifically say their premiums are “a lot higher.”

Poll: Public Worries About Prescription Drug Costs Reach New High; Most Across Political Parties Want Government to Do More to Regulate Prices

Mar 13, 2026

News Release

As the Trump administration promotes its new TrumpRx website and other efforts to lower prescription drug prices, a growing majority of the public worries about being able to afford prescription drugs, and large majorities across parties want the government to do more to regulate prices, a new KFF Health Tracking Poll finds.

Public Views on Prescription Drug Costs: Regulation, Affordability and TrumpRx

Mar 13, 2026

Poll Finding

Amid the Trump administration's focus on lowering prescription drug costs, including its new TrumpRx website, KFF's Health Tracking Poll finds that most Americans (59%) are worried about affording prescription drugs and support more regulation of prescription drug pricing (72%). Looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, the Democratic party currently holds the advantage when it comes to who voters trust to address the cost of health care, including prescription drugs.

The Midterms Lurk Behind Every Health Policy Move Now

Feb 26, 2026

From Drew Altman

In his latest column, President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman discusses how midterm political strategy will shape health policy in 2026, focusing on recent moves by President Trump. He writes: “Democrats start out with a significant advantage on health in the midterms, but rather than cut and run to other issues, Trump wants Republicans to try to erode that advantage where they can.”

Tracking the Public’s Views on the ACA

Feb 9, 2026

Tracker

This interactive tool tracks public opinion on the Affordable Care Act, from the inception of the law to the present. It highlights key moments when views shifted and trends based on party identification, income, age, gender, and race/ethnicity.

Poll: Trust and Confidence in the CDC Remain at Low Point After Changes to Recommended Childhood Vaccines; More Say the Changes Will Hurt than Help Children’s Health

Feb 6, 2026

News Release

In the weeks after the Trump administration reduced the number of recommended childhood vaccines for routine use, the public’s trust in the CDC remains at its lowest point. Among those who have heard about the recent changes to the recommended childhood vaccine schedule, more say they expect the changes to have a negative impact than a positive one on children’s health.

KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: Trust in the CDC and Views of Federal Childhood Vaccine Schedule Changes

Feb 6, 2026

Poll Finding

Weeks after the Trump administration reduced the number of childhood vaccine recommended for routine use, public trust in the CDC is at its lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic, and less than half are confident in federal agencies' ability to make such recommendations. Among those who have heard about the revised recommendations, more say they expect the changes to have a negative impact than a positive one on children’s health.

Health Care Providers Warn of Impacts of Increased ICE Presence at Health Care Facilities

Jan 22, 2026

Quick Take

The presence of ICE at hospitals and health care facilities represents a reversal in policy under the Trump administration from previous policy that had protected against enforcement in these and other “sensitive locations” like schools and places of worship.

As the 2026 Election Takes Shape, Health Care Is Becoming an Economic Issue for US Voters

Nov 25, 2025

Perspective

In this JAMA Viewpoints column, KFF's Drew Altman, Ashley Kirzinger and Mollyann Brodie explore the power of health care affordability as an economic issue, how it has played out in recent election cycles, and the implications for the 2026 midterm elections.

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