Despite voting for massive cuts to Medicaid this year, Rep. Zach Nunn says healthcare is a ‘2026 issue’

Constituents say action is needed now as they grapple drastic premium increases

Last week, Representative Zach Nunn said that making sure Americans can afford healthcare is a “2026 issue,” while thousands of Iowans are facing skyrocketing premium increases back home. 

Iowans have been dealing with higher costs all around, due to tariffs supported by Nunn. The same tariffs are ruining the market for Iowa farmers to sell their crops. Nunn has voted for devastating cuts to programs like SNAP and Medicaid, and he along with Republicans in Congress caused the longest government shutdown in history in order to avoid making healthcare more affordable. In order to provide relief to Iowans now, Nunn must sign onto the ACA discharge petition to extend health care tax credits for three years. 

Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman said that Iowans and especially farmers need action on affordable healthcare more urgently. 

“Farmers are being hit in the gut with trade chaos that has decimated our markets, higher input prices, and USDA cuts and staffing shortages,” Lehman said. “On top of all that, now we are facing massive increases to our health insurance costs. Farmers need answers right now just to pay the bills and to secure financing to get next year's crop in the ground. We don't have the luxury to kick our problems down the road. We need members of Congress to understand that the health care crisis is now. Farmers and all Iowans need action now.”