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A Preview of the Role Health Care May Play in the 2026 Election

Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, this KFF issue brief examines the role health care has played in previous elections and what that may suggest about its potential role in 2026. KFF polls have consistently found that the cost of health care is an important part of voters’ economic concerns.

Affordable care act

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Cost Concerns and Coverage Changes: A Follow-Up Survey of ACA Marketplace Enrollees

This KFF survey is a follow-up survey of adults who had ACA Marketplace insurance in 2025. The survey examines the cost concerns and coverage changes of Marketplace enrollees following the end of the enhanced premium tax credits and finds that half of returning enrollees say their health care costs are “a lot higher” and most expect to cut back on basic household expenses to afford coverage.

Health System Tracker

In 2024, life expectancy in the U.S. reached an all-time high of 79 years but remained years behind the average in comparable countries

How Does U.S. Life Expectancy Compare to Other Countries? The life expectancy gap between the U.S. and peer countries decreased from 4.1 years in 2023 to 3.7 years in 2024 as U.S. mortality dropped.

How Does Cost Affect Access to Health Care? In 2024, about 1 in 6 adults reported delaying or not getting healthcare due to cost, including medical or mental health care.

How Does Health Spending in the U.S. Compare to Other Countries? While the U.S. still spends the most in total dollars, eight OECD nations had a higher percentage increase in per-person health spending in 2024.

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National Health Spending Explorer: Get up-to-date information on U.S. health spending by federal and local governments, private companies, and individuals.

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  • Potential Story Lines from Trump-Era Health Care Cuts

    Perspective

    In his latest column for the JAMA Health Forum, KFF’s Larry Levitt talks about how popular shows like “The Pitt” can make changes to the health care system stemming from this year’s federal tax and budget bill tangible for viewers, and offers some suggested story lines.

  • Medicaid Workers and Job-Based Insurance: Who Is Offered, Eligible, and Enrolled?

    Issue Brief

    Most adult Medicaid enrollees who will be subject to new work requirements are already working but rely on Medicaid because their employers do not offer health coverage or they are not eligible for the coverage offered at their job. This analysis examines the availability of job-based insurance in 2024 for adult Medicaid workers ages 19 to 64.

  • What are the Consequences of Health Care Debt Among Older Adults?

    Issue Brief

    Health care debt is a widespread problem in the United States. Medicare offers coverage for a range of health care services, including hospitalizations, physician visits, prescription drugs, and post-acute care, but Medicare beneficiaries generally pay out-of-pocket for their monthly premiums and deductibles, cost-sharing for Medicare-covered services, and the cost of services not covered by Medicare. This data note examines findings from the KFF Health Care Debt Survey to assess the prevalence, sources and consequences of health care debt among Medicare-age adults.

  • The Biggest Rollback in Federal Support for Health Coverage Ever

    Quick Take

    Republicans are not talking about repealing and replacing the ACA anymore, and the budget reconciliation bill doesn't do that, at least not directly. However, the bill would restrict health insurance for many people who have been helped by the ACA, and it would be the biggest rollback in federal support for health coverage ever.

  • Harris is Reframing Health as an Economic Issue

    From Drew Altman

    In his latest column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman describes how Vice President Harris has reframed health as a pocketbook economic issue, which aligns with voters’ concern about health care costs.

  • Pulling It Together: Writing Regulations

    Perspective

    Not since Geraldo Rivera revealed the secret contents of Al Capone's vault on national TV in the mid-80s, or more recently, sports fans awaited the LeBron James "decision" about where he would play next, have we so anxiously awaited anything as much as the draft health exchange regulations just published by HHS.