Midterms’ new populism: Taking on health industries
Axios · Sept. 22, 2026
Healthcare costs are becoming a prominent issue in 2026 races, with candidates in both parties focusing criticism on insurers, pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers. Axios reports that healthcare is a major subject of campaign advertising as candidates compete over how to lower costs and hold industry players accountable.
ANMP Insights
58% said insurance companies are more responsible than doctors and hospitals for rising premiums; 34% named insurers as the part of the system most in need of repair. (link)
In February, an insurer/PBM-accountability agenda won all three of its head-to-head comparisons, including 54%-34% over pharmaceutical and drug-price accountability. (link)
In June, 73% said healthcare is expensive in part because too many organizations profit from system complexity, and 58% preferred fixing underlying problems over relying mainly on coverage and financial assistance. (link)
EPA proposes changes to gasoline-terminal compliance rules
Federal Register · Sept. 28, 2026
The EPA proposed revising several compliance and monitoring provisions in 2024 air-pollution rules for gasoline distribution facilities and bulk terminals. The agency says the changes would relieve regulatory burdens for directly regulated small entities while leaving the underlying emissions standards unchanged and producing no expected change in overall air quality or health impacts.
ANMP Insights
66% opposed a federal rule requiring Americans to replace gas-powered cars, gas stoves, furnaces and water heaters they already own with government-approved electric alternatives; 25% supported it. (link)
61% preferred government improving the rules that shape markets and opportunity, compared with 34% who preferred relying primarily on taxes and government programs to help people left behind. (link)
73% preferred a free-market entrepreneurial system with customers and citizens, compared with 14% who preferred a government-controlled, bureaucratic-dominated system. (link)
After nixing Iran proposal, Trump tells Axios he expects talks this week
Axios · Sept. 27, 2026
President Trump said he expects another round of U.S.-Iran talks this week after rejecting Tehran’s latest proposal. Qatar and other mediators are continuing indirect diplomacy, while major disagreements remain over nuclear concessions, sanctions and the Strait of Hormuz.
ANMP Insights
44% supported diplomatic negotiations - the most-supported policy option in ANMP’s September Iran survey. (link)
38% supported continued economic sanctions and 36% supported naval action to keep the Strait of Hormuz open; only 13% supported sending U.S. ground troops. (link)
The nuclear-threat argument was most often selected as the single most convincing case for U.S. action (17%), followed by intelligence warnings (13%). (link)