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News » Healthcare reform missing in 2024 U.S. presidential campaign discourse

Healthcare reform missing in 2024 U.S. presidential campaign discourse

healthcare-reform-us-presidential-campaign
Photo from Mark Stahl

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — Healthcare reform has become a secondary issue in the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign despite its historical significance in previous elections. 

This shift marks a departure from the intense debates that have characterized past electoral cycles when candidates often proposed sweeping changes to the healthcare system.

The unexpected absence of healthcare reform

Healthcare reform has historically been a pivotal issue in U.S. presidential elections, with candidates often proposing sweeping changes to the system. From Donald Trump’s attempt to repeal Obamacare in 2017 to Kamala Harris’s proposal for a single-payer system in 2019, healthcare has consistently been at the forefront of political debates. 

However, as the 2024 presidential election approaches, healthcare reform has surprisingly taken a back seat. Neither major party has dedicated significant time to discussing healthcare issues during their conventions, and candidates have only briefly mentioned them in speeches and advertisements. This is particularly striking given that healthcare accounts for a significant portion of the U.S. economy.

Speaking with the New York Times, Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health reform at KFF, remarked, “This is the first election in maybe decades where health reform has not been a central issue.” 

While there is some discussion about prescription drug prices and medical debt, comprehensive health insurance reform is notably absent from the discourse.

Political calculations and shift in voter focus

The lack of focus on health care reform may be attributed to political calculations by both parties. 

Michael Cannon of the Cato Institute noted, “Republicans think they can ignore health care. They can’t. Democrats think they have solved health care. They haven’t.” 

The absence of debate on this topic is puzzling to policymakers concerned about issues like rising premiums and the expiration of insurance subsidies.

Brian Blase of the Paragon Health Institute expressed surprise that neither party is addressing the “health entitlement crisis,” highlighting a shift away from traditional priorities such as Medicare reform.

Current state of U.S. healthcare

Despite the current campaign’s lack of attention, the state of U.S. health care remains complex. Obamacare markets have stabilized, and the uninsured rate is near a record low. 

However, high overall spending continues to be a concern. Linda Blumberg from Georgetown University commented, “When people feel less vulnerable, it makes the demand for a whole new system go down.”

Another pressing issue is the soaring cost of health insurance. Employers are facing steep increases in healthcare costs for 2024, driven by inflation-impacting insurance policies. This rise in costs places additional financial strain on both businesses and employees.

Surprise medical billing also remains a concern despite efforts to mitigate it through the No Surprises Act. While this legislation has prevented over a million surprise medical bills from reaching Americans each month, complaints continue to surface, indicating ongoing challenges in enforcement.

Potential post-election implications 

Although candidates are not emphasizing health care reform now, their management of the system could differ significantly if elected. 

Kamala Harris supports extending health insurance subsidies and maintaining private insurance options, while Donald Trump may pursue changes to Medicaid and Obamacare markets based on his first-term policies.

The stakes for health care remain substantial, even if current conversations are limited. As Election Day nears, voters may need to consider how each candidate’s past actions and statements could shape future health policy.

Read more here.

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