The NPR Politics Podcast Democrats Think Prioritizing Health Care Will Give Them Wins In 2020
May 20, 2020
The Democratic Party is banking on health care as a pivotal strategy for the 2020 elections, especially following their 2018 successes. With the COVID-19 pandemic reshaping voter concerns, there's a clear push against candidates aiming to repeal Obamacare. Meanwhile, a revealing poll shows most Americans doubt a return to normalcy anytime soon. Tension within the party surfaces as members debate between expanding the Affordable Care Act or pushing for Medicare for All, all while navigating Republican strategies that divert focus from health care.
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Pessimism about Return to Normalcy
- Americans are pessimistic about a return to normalcy, with two-thirds expecting it to take six months or more.
- This pessimism is fueled by the lack of a vaccine or proven treatment, and the rising global death toll.
Partisan Divide on Reopening
- A stark partisan divide exists regarding reopening the country and concerns about a second wave of the virus.
- Republicans are less concerned than Democrats and Independents, reflecting a disconnect between public opinion and policy.
Democrats Focus on Healthcare
- Democrats are centering their 2020 campaign on healthcare, aiming to capitalize on the issue's success in 2018.
- The pandemic has amplified healthcare concerns, linking it to job losses and economic anxieties.