A recent poll conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that health care has emerged as the leading concern for Americans as they look to the government’s priorities for 2026. The survey highlights a significant increase in anxiety over health care costs, particularly among those aged 45 to 59, as financial pressures continue to mount.
Julia Dvorak, a 56-year-old resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, articulated her concerns regarding her elderly mother’s escalating health care expenses. Dvorak noted that the frequent emergency room visits for her mother, who is 83, are draining her retirement savings and may soon necessitate a transition to Medicaid. Compounding her worries, Dvorak anticipates an increase in her own health care costs due to a chronic knee condition. “I see how it affects me and my loved ones,” she stated. “But I also know it’s affecting other people, and it’s getting worse.”
Shifting Priorities Amid Financial Strain
The findings from the December poll reveal that approximately 40% of U.S. adults identified health care as a primary issue for government action, a notable rise from one-third last year. This shift is partly attributed to cuts in Medicaid spending during the previous administration and the cessation of pandemic-era subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. These changes are expected to lead to increased health care costs for millions in early 2024.
Joshua Campbell, a small business owner from Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, expressed his frustration with the rising costs of health care. Having voted for Donald Trump in the last election, Campbell noted, “Health care costs are pretty crazy. I just thought, ‘Man, there’s got to be something better than what we have.’”
The survey also highlights broader concerns about living expenses and inflation. Tommy Carosone, a jet aircraft mechanic from St. Peter’s, Missouri, reflected on the financial pressures experienced by many families. “My wife is spending so much more money on groceries than just a few years ago,” he lamented. With the cost of essentials such as meat rising sharply, Carosone voiced skepticism about a future decline in living costs, stating, “In the meantime, what are you going to do, not eat?”
Immigration and Cost of Living Still Relevant
Despite the surge in health care concerns, issues related to immigration and the rising cost of living remain significant. The poll shows that about 44% of Americans want the federal government to prioritize immigration, although this figure reflects a decline from last year. Notably, the concern among Democrats has risen, with around 40% of Democratic respondents citing immigration as a priority, up from 32% previously.
Roxanna Holper, a Minnesota resident, expressed her unease regarding immigration policies under the Trump administration, despite her belief that Democrats have previously mishandled the issue. “You hear stories where a mom was deported with her two children,” she said, emphasizing her discomfort with the treatment of families in such situations.
The AP-NORC poll, conducted from December 4-8, 2023, surveyed 1,146 adults and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. As the nation heads toward the midterm elections, the increasing focus on health care and living costs may play a pivotal role in shaping political discourse. With many Americans expressing a lack of confidence in the government’s ability to address these pressing issues, the outcomes will likely hinge on how effectively these concerns are communicated and addressed by policymakers.
