Latest news with #FabrizioWard
The Hill
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Memo advises GOP to extend ACA tax credits
President Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' pays for an extension of his 2017 tax cuts in part through slashing about $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next decade. Democrats across the country are ready to make these cuts the prominent issue ahead of the midterm elections. The memo notes that all benefits from those tax cuts will be nullified because of premium increases if the subsidies are not extended. PUP Research is the sister group to PUP Advocacy, a conservative advocacy organization. 'Unfortunately, data shows that the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits on January 1, 2026, will increase health care costs to a level that will counteract the tax benefits of OBBB for over 20 million people,' the group wrote. Extra subsidies that help people afford ObamaCare premiums that were put in place during the coronavirus pandemic are set to expire at the end of the year, and there are few signs Republicans are interested in tackling the issue at all. If Congress takes no action, premiums for subsidized enrollees are projected to increase by more than 75 percent starting in January 2026, according to health research group KFF. There is broad bipartisan and public support for extending the subsidies, and the memo cited recent polling from Trump pollster Fabrizio Ward that showed Republicans losing support in the most competitive districts if the tax credits expire. But if Republicans extend them, the poll showed they can gain an advantage against Democrats in the midterms. The Republican candidate that supports extending the tax credits would lead the Democrat on the generic ballot by 6 points overall.
Int'l Business Times
15-07-2025
- Health
- Int'l Business Times
Poll Suggests Republicans Do The Unthinkable to Keep House Majority Through Midterms
A new poll suggests that Republicans key to keeping the House majority may lie in embracing an Obama-era policy, as voters worry about healthcare coverage, according to a new poll. Originally passed under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, individuals who purchase health insurance themselves are eligible for healthcare premium tax credits . However, that credit is set to expire this year. According to a new poll by Fabrizio Ward , if Republicans were to extend that tax credit, it could help them better compete with Democrats, who are currently leading by three points over the typical Republican, and by seven points with motivated voters. Though the tax credit was initially passed during the Obama administration and amended under the Biden administration with the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the tax credit has bipartisan support. When asked about creating tax credits to help make it more affordable for families to buy health insurance, 79% of all participants supported the idea. Voters of President Donald Trump supported the proposal by 68%, while swing voters and those who voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris supported it by 78% and 91% respectively. A Republican who supports extending the tax credit could sway voters in their favor, extending their lead over Democrats six points on a generic ballot, and four points for motivated voters, according to the poll. But if Republicans allow the credit to expire, they face falling behind Democrats by 15 points. The poll also found that the majority of voters want Americans to have healthcare coverage. When the poll added that potentially 5 million Americans could lose coverage if the tax credit expires, 73% of all participants said Congress should extend the tax credit, with 56% of Trump voters and 69% of swing voters agreeing with the sentiment. Trump's "big, beautiful bill," which passed Congress earlier this month, includes steep cuts to Medicaid. In the next decade, the Congressional Budget Office estimates up to 11.8 million Americans could lose coverage, CBS News reported. The cuts were met with intense backlash from Democrats and even caution from some Republicans. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, healthcare coverage is expected to be a major talking point among candidates and constituents. Originally published on Latin Times
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Opinion - America has a health care affordability gap. Congress is working toward change.
The rising cost of health care polls as one of the top financial worries for hardworking American families, surpassing other financial stressors including debt, child care and fuel costs. This is particularly problematic for the millions of working-class Americans who are the backbone of our communities. Even those who have insurance can't escape the pressure when they are inevitably presented with medical bills not covered by their plans. A resounding majority of voters — nearly 80 percent, according to a recent poll by Fabrizio Ward — say it's time the middle class has a dedicated tool to help them offset runaway health care costs. Yet the complexities and sheer size of our health care system make finding solutions seem insurmountable to many and divisive among the policymakers working toward change. Even as leaders in Congress are focusing on the myriad of issues driving up the cost of care, such as prescription price hikes, lack of price transparency, and bureaucratic red tape, costs continue to climb. Americans can't afford to wait any longer. That is why we are reaching across the aisle and supporting the Health Out-of-Pocket Expense Act, or HOPE Act, to give over 100 million eligible Americans the chance to manage their health care expenses. By advancing bipartisan legislation, we can bridge the health care affordability gap, help hardworking Americans receive the care they need, promote better health care outcomes, and work toward becoming a healthier nation. The HOPE Act, with its broad eligibility and tax advantages, offers a structured and personal way to save for future health needs. The legislation introduces HOPE Accounts, an innovative savings tool designed to help individuals and families plan for medical costs. Individuals and their employers can contribute to a personal account that stays with them forever, untethered to their job, giving people a new way to save for future health expenses, from a routine visit to preventative care to an unforeseen emergency. Most appealing to Americans is the portability of HOPE Accounts, meaning the funds can never be lost, even when they change jobs. It's security for the long run. The HOPE Act offers a lifeline for families and individuals who find themselves battling these ever-rising costs, the consequences of which are illustrated both by data and constituent stories. A staggering 45 percent of adults in the U.S. can't afford care when they need it — a 6-point increase since 2022. Families are delaying or altogether skipping out on medical treatment simply out of fear of health care costs, threatening their physical health and adding to anxieties and stress. Nearly one in three American adults avoided seeking needed care in three months alone, while others, often living paycheck to paycheck, are forced to choose between their health and affording other basic, essential needs from paying off bills and credit cards to buying food for their families. Worse yet, when care can no longer be avoided, Americans find themselves dipping into their life savings. In the most severe yet all too common cases, patients attempt to buy time by using credit cards or otherwise face medical debt and even bankruptcy. Americans coming from middle- or lower-income backgrounds are hit hardest, disproportionately affected by out-of-pocket expenses and the consequences of an inability to pay. For these individuals, balancing basic living expenses with unforeseen health care needs can be devastating no matter how hard they work to make ends meet. The HOPE Act is not a complicated overhaul of the health care system, nor is it a narrow program with eligibility restrictions. It's a straightforward, common-sense solution that empowers families to take control of their health care expenses in a financially responsible way. As health care costs rise, it is essential for Congress to work toward solutions that not only address the immediate need for affordable care but also equip people from all walks of life with tools that prepare them for future challenges. The HOPE Act does just that, empowering over 100 million people to manage and protect their health. We already have momentum with an endorsement from the Problem Solvers Caucus, a 62-member group evenly split between Republicans and Democrats and committed to advancing solutions by finding common ground. It's time for our other House colleagues to follow suit. While this solution alone may not completely solve the health care affordability crisis, it is certainly a step in the right direction. Times have seemingly never been more unpredictable. But the HOPE Act is an opportunity for Congress to come together, show bipartisanship, and provide the critical lifeline working families need to take their health, security and futures back into their own hands. Rep. Blake Moore (R) represents Utah's 1st Congressional District and is a member of the Ways and Means Committee. Jimmy Panetta (D) represents California's 19th Congressional District and is a member of the Ways and Means Committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Hill
America has a health care affordability gap. Congress is working toward change.
The rising cost of health care polls as one of the top financial worries for hardworking American families, surpassing other financial stressors including debt, child care and fuel costs. This is particularly problematic for the millions of working-class Americans who are the backbone of our communities. Even those who have insurance can't escape the pressure when they are inevitably presented with medical bills not covered by their plans. A resounding majority of voters — nearly 80 percent, according to a recent poll by Fabrizio Ward — say it's time the middle class has a dedicated tool to help them offset runaway health care costs. Yet the complexities and sheer size of our health care system make finding solutions seem insurmountable to many and divisive among the policymakers working toward change. Even as leaders in Congress are focusing on the myriad of issues driving up the cost of care, such as prescription price hikes, lack of price transparency, and bureaucratic red tape, costs continue to climb. Americans can't afford to wait any longer. That is why we are reaching across the aisle and supporting the Health Out-of-Pocket Expense Act, or HOPE Act, to give over 100 million eligible Americans the chance to manage their health care expenses. By advancing bipartisan legislation, we can bridge the health care affordability gap, help hardworking Americans receive the care they need, promote better health care outcomes, and work toward becoming a healthier nation. The HOPE Act, with its broad eligibility and tax advantages, offers a structured and personal way to save for future health needs. The legislation introduces HOPE Accounts, an innovative savings tool designed to help individuals and families plan for medical costs. Individuals and their employers can contribute to a personal account that stays with them forever, untethered to their job, giving people a new way to save for future health expenses, from a routine visit to preventative care to an unforeseen emergency. Most appealing to Americans is the portability of HOPE Accounts, meaning the funds can never be lost, even when they change jobs. It's security for the long run. The HOPE Act offers a lifeline for families and individuals who find themselves battling these ever-rising costs, the consequences of which are illustrated both by data and constituent stories. A staggering 45 percent of adults in the U.S. can't afford care when they need it — a 6-point increase since 2022. Families are delaying or altogether skipping out on medical treatment simply out of fear of health care costs, threatening their physical health and adding to anxieties and stress. Nearly one in three American adults avoided seeking needed care in three months alone, while others, often living paycheck to paycheck, are forced to choose between their health and affording other basic, essential needs from paying off bills and credit cards to buying food for their families. Worse yet, when care can no longer be avoided, Americans find themselves dipping into their life savings. In the most severe yet all too common cases, patients attempt to buy time by using credit cards or otherwise face medical debt and even bankruptcy. Americans coming from middle- or lower-income backgrounds are hit hardest, disproportionately affected by out-of-pocket expenses and the consequences of an inability to pay. For these individuals, balancing basic living expenses with unforeseen health care needs can be devastating no matter how hard they work to make ends meet. The HOPE Act is not a complicated overhaul of the health care system, nor is it a narrow program with eligibility restrictions. It's a straightforward, common-sense solution that empowers families to take control of their health care expenses in a financially responsible way. As health care costs rise, it is essential for Congress to work toward solutions that not only address the immediate need for affordable care but also equip people from all walks of life with tools that prepare them for future challenges. The HOPE Act does just that, empowering over 100 million people to manage and protect their health. We already have momentum with an endorsement from the Problem Solvers Caucus, a 62-member group evenly split between Republicans and Democrats and committed to advancing solutions by finding common ground. It's time for our other House colleagues to follow suit. While this solution alone may not completely solve the health care affordability crisis, it is certainly a step in the right direction. Times have seemingly never been more unpredictable. But the HOPE Act is an opportunity for Congress to come together, show bipartisanship, and provide the critical lifeline working families need to take their health, security and futures back into their own hands. Rep. Blake Moore (R) represents Utah's 1st Congressional District and is a member of the Ways and Means Committee. Jimmy Panetta (D) represents California's 19th Congressional District and is a member of the Ways and Means Committee.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Most Trump voters want Medicare negotiations protected, Medicaid preserved: Survey
The majority of voters in a new poll, including those who voted for President Trump, say it is important for the government to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies and that they prefer lower drug prices over cutting Medicaid. According to a poll conducted by Fabrizio Ward and commissioned by Arnold Ventures, 88 percent of voters said it was fairly or very important for the government to negotiate with drug companies. The vast majority said it was important to some degree, with only 4 percent saying it was 'not that important.' Across different voting demographics, 86 percent of Trump voters said it was fairly or very important; 92 percent of former Vice President Kamala Harris voters said the same along with 87 percent of swing voters. Roughly the same percentage of voters said it was important that Trump defend Medicare drug price negotiations in court, including 86 percent of Trump voters, 87 percent of Harris voters and 83 percent of swing voters. The survey also found a strong opposition to Medicaid cuts, with 78 percent of respondents saying they'd prefer to pay for tax cuts with lower pharmaceutical costs and only 10 percent saying they would want Medicaid cuts. Among Trump voters, 71 percent chose lower pharmaceutical costs and 16 percent chose cutting Medicaid. Harris voters significantly favored lower pharmaceutical costs, with 86 percent choosing this option and only 5 percent choosing Medicaid cuts. 'Drug prices are too high. This isn't a Republican or Democrat issue; voters across the political spectrum are saying enough is enough,' Mark E. Miller, executive vice president of health care at Arnold Ventures, said in a statement. 'Congress and the administration must protect and build on Medicare negotiations, as well as take on additional solutions to lower costs, help consumers, and offer significant savings for Americans,' he continued. Pollsters interviewed 1,000 voters in targeted congressional districts, which they defined as the 18 districts rated to be 'toss-ups' by the Cook Political Report as of March 18. Most voters in the swing districts said they preferred lowered pharmaceutical costs to pay for tax cuts, for the government to negotiate with drugmakers and for Trump to protect Medicare negotiations. When House Republicans return from recess next week, they will have to grapple with how to find $1.5 trillion in budget cuts to implement Trump's policy agenda, including $880 million that will likely include changes to Medicaid. A dozen Republican lawmakers in swing districts have come forward saying they won't support legislation that cuts into Medicaid. Fabrizio Ward interviewed 1,000 registered voters nationwide along with the 1,000 registered voters in the targeted districts March 19-24. The results of the survey have a sampling error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
