HANOVER, N.H.– Health care problems are very important to Lana Leggett-Kealey, who works as a hereditary genealogist. On Tuesday, as she strolled out of her ballot location at a regional high school and into a freezing New England early morning, she stated she had something larger on her mind when she cast her vote.
“I wish to ensure we have somebody skilled in the White House,” she stated. She composed in President Joe Biden’s name on her tally in New Hampshire’s Democratic primary.
The Affordable Care Act’s future is essential to Robert Stanhope, a retired costs collector. He stated he likewise composed in Biden, whose administration has actually worked to decrease expenses under the ACA.
That wasn’t his inspiration for his early-morning see to the surveys. “I’m here to keep Trump out of workplace,” Stanhope stated.
Dave Avery, 61, of Merrimack, New Hampshire, stated healthcare wasn’t on his mind either. He looked for to put the previous president back in the White House. “Immigration and the economy are my concerns,” he stated. “We likewise require more cash to remain in our nation.”
Citizens casting their very first tallies in the 2024 governmental election cycle on Tuesday framed healthcare as a back-burner problem, topping years of political wrangling over Obamacare and a pandemic that strained the country’s health system.
Donald Trump beat previous South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the state’s GOP primary, according to The Associated Press. Biden, who did not appear on the tally due to differences over the main schedule, won the Democratic contest owing in part to an energetic write-in project.
In interviews with more than 50 citizens today in New Hampshire– a state where 95% of citizens have medical insuranceamong the greatest rates in the nation– the majority of people stated their vote had to do with Trump, like him or dislike him. Health care issues– about expenses, gain access to, and, specifically amongst Democrats, abortion– weren’t far from lots of citizens’ minds.
“I have 2 children and 5 sis and a mommy, so ensuring ladies’s reproductive rights are secured is essential to me,” stated Rob Houseman, 60, a town authorities in Hanover. Concerned that Republicans will attempt to “weaponize healthcare” rather of making sure gain access to, he stated he chose Biden.
Numerous opposed to Trump mentioned issues about his physical fitness to lead, while many Trump citizens who talked with KFF Health News stated they supported him for 2 primary factors: They hoped he would lower prohibited migration and lower inflation.
Democratic citizens were most likely than Republicans to point out heath care as a crucial problem in the election.
“Oh my, yes,” stated Ben Gilson, 90, a retired orthopedic cosmetic surgeon. “Health care is my No. 1 problem.”
While he stated he has exceptional protection and pays little in out-of-pocket expenses, he stresses lots of more youthful individuals battle and wishes to ensure Obamacare is maintained. Among Trump’s earliest pledges throughout his 2016 project was to reverse and change the ACA– a vow he has actually just recently restored in his most current effort to win the White House.
Elaine Kozma, 73, of New London stated healthcare problems are essential to her as a cancer survivor. She stated she chose Haley, a previous U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, whom she believes she can rely on more than Trump.
In New London, Kate Turcotte, a teacher at Colby-Sawyer College, stated she chose Biden to keep Trump out of workplace– and since she trusts Democrats more to enhance health protection and safeguard abortion rights.
She stated she likewise stresses Trump will attempt to cut healthcare for the most susceptible. “Health care need to be a right, not an opportunity,” she stated.
Trump citizens often pointed out migration as a leading issue. Republican politicians have actually implicated Biden of enabling record varieties of immigrants to cross into the U.S. from Mexico.
In Merrimack, Mary Clancy, 69, stated she was pleased with her Medicare protection and was choosing Trump primarily to protect the southern border.
Kathy Franqui, 54, of Merrimack, stated the border and migration were her primary factors for choosing Trump. She likewise stated Trump would decrease health expenses.
Tim Beauchene, 48, of Hanover, who is a cook at Dartmouth College, stated he’s worried about the increase of rates for treatment, together with other products and services. His elect Trump “was more about the economy,” he stated. “Prices are so high in the supermarket and for gas.” Rates for routine unleaded in New Hampshire balanced $3.03 a gallon on Tuesdayaccording to the AAA car club.
At a coffeehouse in Warner, Susan Hencke, 62, stated she pays $1,100 a month for medical insurance. She stated health care was not amongst the aspects figuring out how she would vote.
She stated having a president who will safeguard civil liberties matters most to her. She was unsure about whom to support.
Both she and her partner, who decreased to offer his name, stated they were worried about abortion limitations Trump might enforce.
Sitting outside the coffee bar in the freezing weather condition was Art Sullivan, 75, of Hooksett, who stated migration was his overriding concern in the election– and why he was choosing Trump.
Asked if he had actually been personally impacted by migration, he stated he was fretted his kids would need to carry the monetary concern of individuals entering into the U.S. without permission.
“The border is a disgrace,” stated Sullivan, who stated he’s a signed up independent citizen and offers pool.
Asked if healthcare was something he considered when comparing prospects, he stated he had a Medicare Advantage strategy that covers his costs and offers access to care.
DJ Annicchiarico, co-owner of United Shoe Repair in downtown Concord, stated he is a signed up Democrat. While he chooses Biden on health problems, he is not yet encouraged to vote for him in November.
His primary issue is inflation. He stated the ACA, which he referred to as an action in the best instructions, had actually assisted decrease his insurance coverage premiums however had not managed healthcare costs. “Something requires to be done to check inflation,” he stated.
Annicchiarico stated he wishes to see healthcare costs controlled by the federal government and frets Trump would attempt to rescind the ACA. He kept in mind gain access to is still a concern and stated getting a dermatology consultation for his child implied waiting 8 months.
Aalianna Marietta, 21, an university student, stated healthcare was essential to her, especially abortion rights, so she would be electing Biden. “I am 100% pro-choice, and I can not see myself choosing somebody who is racist and a misogynist,” she stated of Trump.
Deborah Shope, 57, out strolling her canine in Lebanon, stated healthcare is a leading problem for her due to the fact that she works as a medical social employee and sees how essential health protection can be. She stated she was choosing Biden due to the fact that she liked how he has actually attempted to assist individuals get protection and resolve their psychological healthcare requirements.
Shope stated it’s tough to look beyond how Trump functions as an individual. Asked if she is stressed over him getting reelected, she stated individuals should not fret about things out of their control.
[[UPDATE: This short article was upgraded at 10:18 a.m. ET on Jan. 24, 2024, to include Trump citizens Dave Avery and Tim Beauchene.]