Stories
How Cost of Living and Affordability Shape the US Midterms
- •Rising living expenses including fuel and healthcare are becoming central political issues in the upcoming November 3 US midterm elections.
- •A KFF Health Tracking Poll shows healthcare costs and gasoline prices are tied as leading economic concerns for American voters.
- •Democrats are leveraging household financial pressures to challenge the administration's economic record and currently lead Republicans on cost of living trust.
- •Healthcare remains a major sensitive issue with 89 percent of Democrats and 77 percent of Republicans calling for major changes or a complete overhaul.
- •The midterms will decide all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats, with affordability acting as a direct measure of the nation's economic direction.
Key Questions Answered
Healthcare costs and gasoline prices have emerged as leading economic concerns for American voters. According to polling data, about 25 percent of voters expressed being very worried about affording healthcare, while an equal proportion reported serious concerns regarding fuel and transportation expenses.
Public opinion data shows that Democrats hold an advantage on economic issues, with 42 percent of voters trusting them more to handle healthcare costs compared to 22 percent who favor Republicans. On the broader cost of living, Democrats lead Republicans by 39 percent to 25 percent.
President Donald Trump reached an agreement with Russia to export diesel to the United States in an effort to increase fuel supplies and ease rising prices ahead of the November midterms. This move aims to curb transportation and production costs that rely heavily on diesel.
