Democrats in state legislatures remain on the frontlines of mitigating the damage of the MAGA agenda and fighting for affordable health care
WASHINGTON — As health care costs skyrocket under Republicans’ watch, voters cite soaring prices as a “top worry” ahead of the midterms. With Republican leadership missing in action, state Democrats are stepping up in legislative sessions to lower costs and provide solutions to help working families.
From expanding Medicaid to replacing expired ACA subsidies and addressing medical debt, state Democrats are in action across the country. Their laser focus on lowering costs is helping drive Democratic overperformance in special elections. As we look ahead to November, the DLCC’s expanded target map is the strongest path to flip hundreds of seats and create new Democratic majorities focused on lower costs and expanding health care.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“Republicans’ agenda has prioritized handouts for the wealthy at the expense of working families across the country – and voters are taking note. While Republicans have passed drastic cuts to Medicaid and let ACA tax credits expire, state Democrats are laser-focused in legislative sessions on lowering costs and expanding coverage. Republicans can’t pull the wool over voters’ eyes – they’re on the wrong side of this issue, and voters will hold them accountable between now and November. Affordability will continue to drive the drumbeat of Democratic overperformance in special elections and success across the country this November.”
State Democrats work to lower the cost of health care:
- Democrats in Georgia, Kansas, and Hawaii introduced legislation to expand Medicaid.
- New Mexico Democrats passed legislation to fully replace ACA subsidies through 2026, and Senate Democrats passed a bill to reduce the state’s health care worker shortage. They also introduced legislation to close gaps in health care coverage and make coverage more affordable.
- Washington and Kentucky Democrats have introduced bills to ease the burden of medical debt to ensure people can get treatment.
- Colorado Democrats passed $100 million to prevent rising costs due to expiring health care subsidies.
- $70 million in state funds will extend health care subsidies for some Connecticut families.
- Young adults in Maryland will have access to the state’s health care subsidy thanks to legislation passed by Democrats last year.
- State Democrats in New Jersey passed bills boosting health care accessibility and affordability.
- Massachusetts Democrats are shielding 270K people from health insurance spikes.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the campaign arm of Democratic state legislatures and leads the national strategy for building power and winning new majorities. Over the last three decades, we have strategized cycle over cycle to win majorities and lead the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level, winning nearly a dozen new chamber majorities over the last decade. Our work has ensured that nearly half of Americans are represented by at least one Democratic majority in their statehouse. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class and advancing opportunity, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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