Voters are making health-care costs a campaign issue before midterms

Health-care affordability is emerging as an issue in the US midterm campaign, with voters expressing frustration over rising costs, STAT reported. The Lancet reported that Democrats hope to win voters’ support by focusing on cuts to health-care programmes, and said costs could help decide control of Congress.

A recent Families USA poll found 74% of voters said lowering health-care costs is “very important” to Congress and the president, rising to 94% when people who consider it at least “somewhat” or “fairly” important are included. STAT said costs are straining workers with employer coverage through higher deductibles and copays, and that expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies and impending Medicaid cuts are adding concern. It also reported that major policy changes to most employer plans would have to go through Congress, where proposals such as Medicare for All face a major roadblock.