Kamala Harris is launching a seven-figure ad campaign targeting Donald Trump’s plans to replace the Affordable Care Act with a mystery plan he has not yet released. The ad, titled “Concepts of a Plan,” highlights Trump’s lack of a concrete healthcare proposal and emphasizes Harris’ commitment to protecting the ACA. The campaign aims to capitalize on polling data showing health care as a top issue for voters and to garner support for Harris by showcasing her policies that expanded subsidies for coverage and capped the cost of insulin for seniors.
The ad will air in battleground states on broadcast and cable shows, targeting diverse audiences during popular medical programs and on national news programs. The Harris campaign plans to release more health care-focused ads in the future, emphasizing the importance of access to quality healthcare for all Americans. A recent Gallup Poll showed that health care has not received enough attention in the presidential campaign according to two-thirds of U.S adults, including majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents.
Trump has continued to criticize the ACA, but has recently softened his rhetoric, vowing to eliminate the law only if he has a better and cheaper replacement. He has also misrepresented his efforts to repeal the ACA during his presidency. Trump’s campaign has vowed to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the health care system, ensure quality medicines at the best price, and prioritize patients’ needs. Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, support using more choice and efficiency in the health care marketplace to improve affordability.
Trump has struggled on the health care issue since his 2016 election, with his efforts to repeal and replace the ACA facing challenges in the House and Senate. The ACA, originally signed by President Obama, has gained popularity since its passage and has become a major boon for Democrats in recent elections. A recent survey found that voters trust Harris to handle health care over Trump by a margin of 50% to 30%. However, Trump leads on other major issues such as the economy and immigration. The health care issue is crucial for Trump as he seeks to attract working-class and low-income voters who rely on the health care safety net.
The Trump campaign has pledged to bring down health care costs by focusing on patients rather than corporations and by increasing the quality of care in the marketplace. Trump and Vance have advocated for high-risk pools to tackle high costs in the health care system, a proposal that has garnered support among some conservatives. Democrats argue that the ACA is necessary to enroll healthier individuals and spread risk among insurers, ensuring that the neediest patients are not charged exorbitant costs. The health care issue remains a critical topic in the presidential campaign, as both candidates seek to win over voters with their policies on access to quality health care at affordable prices.
