With the midterm elections tomorrow, healthcare costs remain one of voters’ most important issues and a majority said they are worried about being able to afford healthcare
Yesterday, open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace began, and millions of Americans are expected to face even higher healthcare costs because of Donald Trump and Republicans. After Trump and Republicans refused to extend the popular enhanced ACA premium tax credits, premiums skyrocketed by an average of 58%, forcing three million people to drop their coverage so far. The average ACA marketplace deductibles increased by $1,027 per person this year to a record high of $3,786 in 2026. Now, Americans enrolling in the marketplace could see their premiums increase by another 15% or more in 2027.
Trump and Republicans also slashed $1 TRILLION from Medicaid — the largest cut to healthcare in history — to pay for permanent tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations. After Trump and Republicans made healthcare more expensive, Trump and his administration encouraged Americans to take out loans for medical bills they can’t afford.
REMINDER: More than half of Americans reported not being able to consistently afford healthcare in 2025. A recent poll also found that high healthcare costs remain one of voters’ most important issues: 60% of voters said they are worried about being able to afford healthcare, and more than a third of American families already have medical debt because of rising costs.
In response, DNC Deputy Communications Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement:
“Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Republicans jacked up healthcare costs for millions of Americans – all to pay for tax breaks for their ultra-rich donors. Now, as Americans go to sign up for health coverage, they are seeing their monthly premiums skyrocket again to highs they simply can’t afford as they struggle to pay high prices on gas and groceries. Because of Trump and Republicans, Americans are being forced to choose whether to fill up at the pump, put food on the table, go to the doctor, or pay for their medicine. Americans are drowning in high healthcare costs and they know who to blame. Tomorrow, voters are going to hold Trump, Vance, and Republicans accountable and deliver a major defeat to Republicans up and down the ballot.”
Here’s what working families, farmers, and small business owners have said about rising healthcare costs under Trump:
- Pennsylvania voter: “I didn’t know they were going to take our healthcare… My plan without the subsidies right now is almost $600 a month. If I imagine that with a 15% increase on top, I don’t know how anyone in my income bracket can afford to absorb $600+ a month for healthcare.”
- Louisiana farmer: “We’re either going to have to drop our insurance or one of us will have to save at least a couple of hundred dollars…My mom died basically because she didn’t have proper healthcare coverage. And I know that she probably wasn’t one of the only people that went through that. I just know what it’s going to be like for loved ones and their family members to see someone getting worse and worse and worse.”
- Georgia voter on rising healthcare costs: “I’m having to ask my children to help me do things that should only be my responsibility, and that has broken my heart… They should concentrate on going to school, getting good grades, making friends. Not paying a bill.”
- Maryland small business owners: “[Our premiums] went from $400 to $1,975 for the same policy… I’ve cut off subscriptions we don’t need. I’ve tried to figure out how to move money around. We just don’t make enough. My business is small… We’re going to have to give up our healthcare.”
