Health care is a burning issue for Democrats, and they're not shying away from it. With Republicans slashing $1 trillion from Medicaid and letting COVID-era subsidies lapse, Democrats see an opportunity to campaign on a topic that has become a cornerstone of their party's identity.
President Donald Trump's second term has been a goldmine of political ammunition for opponents, from immigration policies to economic challenges. But Democrats are strategically focusing on health care, an issue that once hurt them but now has the potential to win them seats in Congress.
Last year, Republicans made significant cuts to Medicaid and refused to extend subsidies that made health plans more affordable under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Democrats are seizing this moment, filming campaign spots outside struggling hospitals and sharing stories of Americans facing skyrocketing insurance costs.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat from Georgia, is expected to highlight health care challenges at a rally in suburban Atlanta. "It's a powerful issue for Democrats," says Brad Woodhouse, a Democratic strategist. "It will be a key part of every campaign."
Republicans defend their actions as necessary to control health spending and address what they see as waste and abuse. Trump even launched a website to help patients buy discounted prescription drugs. But despite controlling Congress, Republicans have failed to pass comprehensive legislation to address Americans' health costs.
"Health care will remain our Achilles' heel until we come up with realistic proposals," says Republican strategist Ron Bonjean.
The tides have turned for Democrats on this issue. Once a liability, health care is now a rallying cry. In 2010, Democrats lost the House after passing the ACA without Republican support. But Trump's attempts to repeal and replace "Obamacare" changed the game, leaving millions potentially uninsured and making it harder for those with pre-existing conditions to get coverage.
Last year, Republicans passed legislation to reduce spending on health programs and food assistance, largely by imposing work requirements and shifting costs to states. They argue this will prevent abuse of Medicaid, but critics say it will leave many without access to care.
Democrats forced a government shutdown last year over the expiration of enhanced ACA tax credits, and they believe this gave them political leverage. "Republicans own it now," says Democratic media strategist Eric Stern. "Democrats will be talking about it."
Candidates are meeting with hospital leaders and sharing emotional stories. Stef Feldman, a Democratic consultant, says voters care deeply about health affordability. A recent poll found that a third of U.S. adults are very worried about health care costs, more so than the cost of groceries or housing.
For candidates like Iowa state Sen. Zach Wahls and Rebecca Cooke, running for the U.S. Senate and House respectively, this means visiting hospitals, touring pharmacies, and sharing personal stories. In a campaign video, Ossoff called health care a "life-or-death" issue.
At his rally, Teresa Acosta, a frequent Democratic campaigner, will speak about her ACA policy, which now costs seven times more than before expanded subsidies ended. "Health care is a human right," she says. "Republicans seem determined to weaken access."
In Georgia, one of the states that didn't expand Medicaid, the expiration of expanded subsidies could leave residents uninsured. Recent data shows a 14% drop in Georgians signing up for plans in 2026 compared to last year.
Republicans argue against "throwing money at a broken system." U.S. Reps. Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, Ossoff's opponents, voted against a temporary ACA tax-credit extension, calling the ACA the "Unaffordable Care Act." Carter, a former pharmacist, says extending subsidies is like "throwing money at a broken system without fixing it."
However, U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a Wisconsin Republican facing a challenge from Cooke, voted for the temporary extension. He criticized his party for allowing the tax credits to expire without an alternative solution. "We should be writing policy and embracing this issue," he said.
The battle over health care is heating up, and Democrats are determined to make it a central part of their campaign strategy.
