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Democrats Seize on Health Care as Key Issue Ahead of Midterms

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the coronavirus pandemic escalates, Democrats have shifted their focus to health care, a conversation that proved crucial in their 2018 midterm victories. Republicans, on the other hand, are warning that reviving the debate may be detrimental to their party in November.

Key Takeaways:

  • Democrats are leveraging the Affordable Care Act as a key issue to galvanize support ahead of the midterms, pointing out President Trump's efforts to dismantle the law.
  • A recent digital ad by Priorities USA, a top Democratic super PAC, highlighted Trump's comments on terminating health care under Obamacare, emphasizing the risk of 133 million Americans losing coverage.
  • President Biden has also started to use the same messaging, calling on Trump to reopen Obamacare enrollment and drop the lawsuit to overturn the law.
  • Operatives like Josh Schwerin, spokesman for Priorities USA, believe that the argument takes on even more importance as the coronavirus roils the country and has most Americans focused on their health and well-being.
  • Republicans argue that Democrats' message on health care is flawed, pointing out that the Affordable Care Act has had coverage lapses, premium increases, and limits on doctor choice.
  • The issue for Republicans is that, without a clear alternative plan, Democrats can credibly say the party wants to take away health care from millions of Americans without a tangible replacement.
  • Democrats are using the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on the future of Obamacare as a key part of their messaging, highlighting the stakes for millions of Americans who rely on the law for coverage.

Statistics:

  • 133 million Americans could lose coverage in the middle of a deadly pandemic if the Supreme Court overturns the Affordable Care Act.
  • 41 seats were won by Democrats in the 2018 midterms, largely due to their focus on health care.
  • The Affordable Care Act provides coverage to millions of Americans since its passage in 2010.

Sources:

  • CNN
  • Priorities USA
  • Joe Biden

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