In brief
Julia Dvorak, concerned about her mother’s health emergencies depleting her savings, reflects a broader sentiment captured in a new AP-NORC poll showing 40% of Americans prioritize healthcare issues for government action in 2026. The survey reveals heightened anxiety over increasing healthcare costs, alongside enduring concerns about inflation and immigration. With 66% of respondents indicating skepticism towards government effectiveness in addressing these issues, the poll outlines a complex landscape for upcoming midterm elections.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rising healthcare costs have emerged as a principal concern for Americans, as evidenced by a recent AP-NORC poll. Respondents, including Julia Dvorak from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are worried that high medical expenses are depleting their savings and pushing them toward government assistance programs like Medicaid.
This shift in priorities is notable, with nearly 40% of adult Americans identifying healthcare or health issues as significant areas for government focus in the coming year—a rise from one-third in the previous year.
Dvorak's plight resonates with many in a nation where healthcare expenditures are climbing sharply. The poll's findings come amidst increasing anxieties, particularly as the Trump administration has curtailed Medicaid funding and discontinued pandemic-era subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Many anticipate a steep rise in their healthcare costs next year.
The poll illustrates that nearly two-thirds of Americans lack confidence that the government will effectively address these critical issues by 2026, marking a decline from the previous year.
Additionally, those in the age group of 45 to 59 express particular concern regarding healthcare costs, reflecting a demographic most affected by health-related expenses, not yet eligible for Medicare.
Meanwhile, immigration remains a pressing concern, particularly among Democratic constituents, with 40% of them now listing it as a priority—an increase from last year. Republican confidence in serious immigration reform, however, appears to be waning, highlighting a shift in political focus.
With midterm elections approaching, the interplay between public concern over healthcare affordability and confidence in government solutions is likely to shape political discourse as candidates position themselves to appeal to the electorate's increasing need for substantive action on these issues.
