2018 Federal, State, and Local Election Toolkit for Health Care Voters

As the 2018 elections approach, now is the time for people to speak out to candidates about the kind of health care system they want, and to hold candidates accountable for delivering on it. Whether at a town hall, in the media, or one-on-one, voters can hold candidates for federal, state, and local offices accountable for working to protect health care, instead of tearing it down.

Health care is a top-of-mind issue for voters. In 2017, people across the country feared losing their health care due to tumultuous efforts by Republicans in Congress to repeal insurance.

Throughout this year, health care threats have continued as some state leaders have tried to make it harder for people to enroll in Medicaid, and at the federal level, the Trump administration, its allies in Congress, and judicial actions have threatened health care access and protections.

To help you speak out about health care this election season, Families USA has produced this toolkit. We hope you will use these resources to engage your candidates for federal, state, and local offices on the health care issues that matter most.

• Midterm Elections: Six Key Questions for Congressional Candidates: These six questions can help advocates and consumers assess Congressional candidates’ commitment to protecting access to health care and improving health.
• Midterm Elections: Key Questions for State and Local Candidates: These questions can help advocates and consumers assess which state and local candidates will prioritize protecting health care and improving health for residents and communities.
• Oral Health Questions to Ask Your Candidate: These questions can help advocates and consumers ask candidates about an often overlooked and unexamined public health issue: oral health.
• How the Midterm Elections Could Impact People in America with Preexisting Conditions: National and Key State Fact Sheets and Infographics: This midterm election season, some candidates want to take away health insurance protections for people with preexisting conditions. These national and key state fact sheets explain how many people would be affected if insurers are once again permitted to discriminate against people with preexisting conditions.
• Does Your Candidate Actually Support Protections for People With Preexisting Conditions? The Three-Part Test: Many candidates are making claims that they support coverage for people with preexisting conditions. How can you tell for sure? We outline a three-part test that will make it easy to tell who is telling the truth from those offering smoke and mirrors.
• Health Care Voters Face Critical Choices in the States in 2018: This piece explains critical health care issues at stake in the 2018 state elections. With referendums to expand health coverage and races for governor and state legislator seats that will make a big impact on the future of Medicaid and other health programs on the ballot this year, state elections are key for health care voters to watch.
• What’s At Stake for Health Care in the 2018 Elections: A webinar recording with our staff experts diving into the biggest health care issues that we are facing in this election.
• Town Hall Project: Visit this site to learn of events where you can discuss health care issues with candidates.

As the elections approach, the voices of advocates and families can make a big difference in keeping health care at the forefront of the debate. Together we can hold elected officials accountable for protecting coverage and care!