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KFF Poll: Health Care Costs Tie Gas Prices as Top Pocketbook Worry

The latest KFF poll signals cost worries could steer 2026 voting, with party trust splitting between price relief and fraud control.

Overview

  • KFF’s latest Health Tracking Poll reports 64% of adults worry about affording care, matching concern about gasoline and transport at 64% after rising from 52% in January.
  • Among people with insurance, 46% pick lower out-of-pocket costs as their top plan change, while 22% want prior authorization dropped and 12% want more freedom to choose providers.
  • Health care costs carry electoral weight, with 55% saying the issue will have a major impact on their vote and 61% saying it will shape which party they back.
  • Voters give Democrats an edge on reducing health and prescription drug costs, while Republicans draw more trust on cutting fraud and waste in government programs.
  • The poll, a KFF survey of 1,343 adults including 1,107 registered voters, lands as fuel prices and uncertainty linked to the Iran war raise transportation worries.