Health care costs are a major concern for voters in the 2024 election Brookings

Although overshadowed in the national political discourse by debates about the importance of the economy, immigration, or abortion, voters indicated that health care remains one of their top priorities . In fact, a May 2024 survey conducted by Pew found that health care was the third-biggest issue for voters, receiving a strong 57% of respondents.

The importance of health care bodes well for Biden as he outperforms Trump on health care (39% trust Biden on health care, compared to 34% who favor Trump), as seen from an ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted last month, which is in line with many. polls showing a similar moderate advantage for Biden in this regard.

The importance of health care to voters is reinforced when we consider that it is one of the factors that add to the economic pressures that Americans face, causing inflation and the rising cost of living. above all other matters.

Most voters include rising health care costs among their other priorities. For example, a recent KFF survey shows that health care is at the top of the list of the main expenses Americans worry about—even more than gas, food, and rent. In fact, nearly three out of four adults in the KFF survey indicated that they are worried about paying unexpected bills and other health expenses.

Health care and Latino voters

Health care serves as a policy issue for many subgroups of the larger electorate, including Latino voters who continue to trail other racial and ethnic groups in obtaining health insurance. and medical care. A recent UnidosUS survey found health care to be the third-highest policy priority for registered Latino voters, behind only the rising cost of living and jobs/economy.

When Latino voters are asked to describe what they mean when they rank health care as a top priority, health care costs (premiums, deductibles, etc.) are the top explanation. most often quoted, followed by the cost of the medicine, and then the value. of maintenance.

While discussions about Latino voting behavior focus mostly on the potential shift of Latinos to Trump and the Republican Party, interestingly, health care tends to be a policy issue of particular concern. among Latinos who are moving to the left in their voting. UnidosUS finds that a whopping 38% of Latinos who identify as Republicans who report greater openness to Democrats in 2024 cite health care as a top concern, with premiums and drug costs often identified as the root of Republican anxiety.

Sharp differences in policy priorities that voters should be aware of

Although its name does not suggest a significant health plan, the Affordable Care Act, or IRA, included a provision that allows Medicare to negotiate the prices of high-cost drugs. The IRA also increased the total out-of-pocket cost for prescription drugs for all Medicare patients, dropping from $3,500 to $2,000, while raising the cost of insulin for those with diabetes at $35 per month. These are policy actions that can directly address voters’ concerns. Biden’s challenge continues to connect the progress of his policy with voters and successfully negotiate this important reduction in health care costs.

The Affordable Care Act will continue to be a priority for patients 14 years after it was passed by former President Obama. The popularity of the ACA makes this a dangerous area for Republicans, as former President Trump has suggested he would repeal the law if elected. The KFF survey found that most adults want to see the program expanded rather than reduced, and there has been a recent increase in insurance enrollment, with a reported 21.3 million people are already signing up for coverage by 2024 – a quarter of those are new customers. of health insurance. Adding to the political pressure for Republicans in 2024, this increase in enrollment was highest in red states, with year-over-year increases of 80% in West Virginia, 75% in Louisiana, and 62% in Ohio, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicaid Services. .

Although former President Trump has said he will not cut Medicare spending, Democrats may want to align him with other Republicans who support curbing the program’s costs. However, raising taxes on people making more than $400,000 a year to fund Medicare is an idea that received strong support in a recent study by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research .

As November 2024 approaches, other issues may continue to grab national headlines. However, health care may be the deciding factor in the election. The candidate who can convince the American public that they have the best plan to reduce the cost of health care costs will emerge victorious and have the opportunity to deal with the costs that continue to rise. rising health insurance, prescription drugs, and other medical expenses.