In the lead-up to the November 5 election, Vice President Kamala Harris claimed that Donald Trump and his Republican allies could threaten healthcare programs like the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare.
Speaking in Madison, Wisconsin, Harris emphasized the stakes, saying, “Healthcare for all Americans is on the line in this election,” and pointed out Trump’s previous attempts to repeal the ACA during his presidency.
Trump responded on his social media platform, Truth Social, asserting that he never intended to eliminate the ACA, claiming, “I never mentioned doing that, never even thought about such a thing.”
This exchange highlights the ongoing debate over healthcare in a tightly contested race.
Recent polls indicate a remarkably close contest between Harris and Trump, with significant divides emerging along gender lines.
Harris leads among women by 12 percentage points, while Trump has a 7-point advantage among men.
With over 63 million votes already cast through early voting and mail-in ballots, the outcome is likely to hinge on key battleground states.
Healthcare remains a pivotal issue in this election. The ACA, enacted in 2010, provides coverage to around 40 million Americans and has shifted from being a political liability for Democrats to a broadly popular program.
Trump had previously vowed to repeal the ACA during his 2016 campaign, celebrating a House vote to dismantle it after his election.
However, the repeal effort failed in the Senate in 2017, largely due to a decisive vote by the late Senator John McCain.
While Trump has downplayed the repeal issue this campaign season, he reiterated his support for in vitro fertilization (IVF) coverage and acknowledged that he has yet to present a comprehensive healthcare alternative, referring to his “concepts of a plan.”
In addition to healthcare, Harris has made abortion rights a central focus of her campaign, while Trump continues to emphasize immigration reform.
Tensions escalated following Trump’s recent comments about protecting women from immigrants, which Harris condemned as offensive.
She stated, “It actually is very offensive to women in terms of not understanding their agency,” highlighting the importance of women’s rights in the election discourse.
Both candidates are actively courting Hispanic voters in the Southwest, where demographic trends could influence election outcomes.
Harris garnered attention with endorsements from celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, who joined her at a Las Vegas rally.
In contrast, Trump, campaigning in traditionally Democratic New Mexico, expressed confidence in appealing to the state’s Hispanic population.
As the election approaches, both candidates are intensifying their outreach efforts, with a focus on pivotal states that could determine the winner.
The ongoing debate over healthcare, alongside other pressing issues, is likely to shape voter sentiment in the final days leading up to the election.
