Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew (N.J.) warns that his party risks a devastating defeat in the 2026 midterms if it fails to address the escalating healthcare crisis. He emphasizes the moral imperative of tackling healthcare costs, stating, 'We need to deal with [healthcare] now because, number one, it’s the right thing to do, just morally.' Van Drew predicts dire consequences, saying, 'We're going to get killed [in 2026].' This warning comes amidst a record-breaking government shutdown and the start of open enrollment for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. Insurers are raising premiums by an average of 26 percent, with the expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies threatening further increases. A recent poll reveals that nearly 60% of respondents are deeply concerned about rising healthcare costs. Echoing President Trump, Van Drew calls on Senate Republicans to abandon the filibuster and bypass Democrats to address the premium issue. He believes this is the only way to devise a 'good, solid, thorough replacement' for the ACA. These comments follow Democratic victories in Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races, where affordability was a central theme. Van Drew asserts that the GOP's failure to prioritize healthcare affordability will lead to a ballot-box punishment in November. He stresses, 'It’s about winning, we have to win the midterms. It’s going to be a hell of a hard thing to do, and if people are just struggling with their healthcare, it’s not going to help us. So, we have that responsibility, we should deal with it.'
