President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited North Carolina to promote their health care agenda, highlighting the importance of preserving access to care for all Americans. Biden emphasized the threat of Republicans reversing the gains made over the past decade and a half, particularly in relation to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The White House sees health care as a crucial issue in the upcoming election, with Biden facing challenges on immigration and the economy. Republicans have opposed Biden’s efforts to lower medical costs and have taken steps to restrict abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
North Carolina has been a success story for Biden’s health care initiatives, with Governor Roy Cooper using federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income residents. The state received $1.8 billion for this program, benefiting over 600,000 residents. The visit coincided with a Supreme Court case on access to the abortion pill mifepristone, where the justices appeared inclined to preserve access to the medication. The White House has prioritized protecting women’s ability to end pregnancies and has made efforts to make mifepristone more available.
Biden’s approval ratings on health care are among his highest, but he still trails in overall approval. Polls have shown that a majority of U.S. adults trust the Democratic Party to handle health care affordability issues better than Republicans. Despite campaigning on a promise to repeal and replace the ACA since 2016, former President Donald Trump has not detailed his health care proposals. Trump recently denied wanting to terminate the ACA, instead promising to make it better, stronger, and less expensive. Health care has not been a prominent issue in his 2024 campaign as he focuses on other issues like immigration and inflation.
Democrats hope to use health care as a key issue in the upcoming election, especially in battleground states like North Carolina. While Republicans have had success in the state in recent years, Democrats see opportunities to win over unaffiliated voters who may be swayed by concerns about Republican candidates with a history of inflammatory comments. The Democratic party hopes to highlight the economic benefits of their policies and the potential negative impact of electing candidates aligned with Trump’s agenda. The state’s significant unaffiliated voter population could play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the election.
Overall, health care remains a central issue for both Democrats and Republicans in the upcoming election, with Biden and Harris advocating for preserving and expanding access to care, while Trump focuses on other policy areas. The battle for North Carolina’s votes showcases the divide between the two parties on health care and other key issues. The state’s significance as a battleground with a recent history of close elections underscores the importance of health care in swaying voters and determining the outcome of the 2024 election.
