Health Care: A Crucial Topic Before the 2026 Midterms
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, health care is becoming a major concern for voters. Many patients and doctors are worried that the potential end of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits could lead to increased premiums and a rise in uninsured individuals.
Damian Stephens, a 55-year-old personal trainer, recently saw his ACA premium double. He expressed fear that without subsidies, he may lose his coverage entirely. “A bike with a squeaky wheel will still get you there — they just want to take the whole bike,” he said during a recent panel discussion.
Doctors are bracing for an influx of uninsured patients arriving in emergency rooms with preventable ailments. Dr. David Woolsey from Jackson Memorial Hospital remarked, “It is tragic when somebody comes to the emergency room paralyzed from a stroke they should not have had.”
The event, organized by Democratic congressional candidate Robin Peguero, highlighted the growing concern over rising healthcare costs. Peguero cautioned that if people are priced out of healthcare, everyone’s premiums could go up.
Florida has the highest ACA enrollment in the nation, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The top district, Florida’s 27th, also has a Republican representative, María Elvira Salazar, advocating for the continued funding of subsidies.
Many Floridians are already feeling the strain of rising living costs. Stephens noted, “The squeezing of everybody’s dollar has gotten to the point it won’t squeeze anymore.”
The CEO of Jackson Health System recently warned that losing subsidies could cost the hospital system about $100 million each year, as 18% of its patients rely on ACA plans.
Experts are voicing their concerns as well. According to a recent study from the Urban Institute, if subsidies end, up to 3 million Americans could lose coverage, increasing the strain on emergency services nationwide.
Discussions on social media show a high level of concern among users. Tweets vary from personal stories about rising costs to calls for more government action to support citizens in need.
Health care is not just a political issue; it directly affects daily lives. With rising costs, many are left asking how much longer they can manage without adequate support.
