KFF Health News reporters analyze healthcare and election trends
Midterm election analysis suggests voter concerns over rising healthcare costs may have boosted Democratic support.
(Photo via KFF Health News)
Journalists from KFF Health News participated in a series of media appearances between Oct. 24 and Nov. 5, 2026, to discuss the intersection of healthcare costs, insurance reform, and the 2026 midterm elections.
Chief Washington Correspondent Julie Rovner, Senior Contributing Editor Elisabeth Rosenthal, and Senior Correspondent Arthur Allen addressed various topics during these segments. On Oct. 24, Allen discussed a GLP-1 recall on Fox News, while Rosenthal spoke about insurance reform on Connecticut Public on Oct. 28. Rovner appeared on several programs, including Slate’s What Next on Oct. 27, MS NOW on Oct. 30, and WAMU’s 1A on Nov. 5, where she analyzed the politics of healthcare and potential congressional actions regarding rising costs.
These discussions occurred as KFF polling identified healthcare costs as a primary concern for voters, ranking alongside gas prices. An analysis of the 2026 Voter Poll by SSRS revealed that voters favored Democrats by 19 percentage points regarding their ability to manage healthcare.
Reflecting on the election outcomes, KFF analysis suggested that the focus on affordability was significant. The organization noted that the messaging from Democrats on healthcare costs appeared to resonate with the electorate and may have influenced the party's gains in the midterms.