A Blue Wave Hits Healthcare

The blue wave widely predicted for the 2026 midterm elections not only appeared — it overperformed, with Democrats sweeping into majorities in the House and Senate. That sets up a new focus on health policy, with Democrats seeking to undo cuts imposed by President Donald Trump and the GOP-led Congress and advance their own agenda to increase coverage and lower costs. 

In this special episode of “What the Health?,” host Julie Rovner is joined by Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF; Mollyann Brodie, KFF executive vice president and chief operating officer; and Amanda Seitz, Washington health policy reporter for KFF Health News. They discuss what the new Democratic Congress could mean for health policy going forward.