President Joe Biden is intensifying his focus on health care, targeting Republicans and former President Donald Trump during a visit to New Hampshire, a state with a significant elderly population.
Biden plans to highlight his health care agenda, contrasting it with Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and remove caps on out-of-pocket drug costs.
Despite past success in messaging on health care, polls indicate many Americans remain unaware of Biden’s actions to lower health care expenses since taking office.
During his New Hampshire visit, Biden will call on Congress to pass legislation expanding caps on out-of-pocket drug costs, allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and extending Obamacare premium subsidies. However, with the GOP controlling the House, the chances of passing such laws before the November elections are slim.
The trip provides an opportunity for Biden to draw a clear distinction between his health care approach and that of Trump and the Republicans. In a state where healthcare costs and access are critical concerns, Biden aims to continue his defense of the Affordable Care Act, which he views as a significant achievement.
Democrats, buoyed by the law’s growing popularity, see it as a turning point from the days when Republicans campaigned against it. Yet, Biden faces challenges in raising awareness about his efforts to reduce drug prices, despite his administration’s achievements like capping the cost of insulin for Medicare enrollees.
Many Americans are unaware of the provisions in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act aimed at lowering drug prices. Biden’s emphasis on negotiating drug prices and capping out-of-pocket costs has faced pushback from pharmaceutical companies, leading to legal challenges.
As Biden presses forward with his health care agenda, the disparity in awareness underscores the importance of effective communication in conveying the benefits of his policies to the American public.
