Newsmax viewers put on notice of 'major issue' that could wreck GOP election chances

GOP strategist Bobby Eberle issued a dire warning to Republicans on the right-wing media outlet Newsmax about a “major issue” they face that, if not addressed, could spell disaster for the GOP in the 2026 midterm elections.

“For the Republicans to hold the House, we need to have real results on real issues,” Eberle said.

“I saw a stat the other day, median household income went up ten times since 1970 but health care costs have gone up 42 times, so this is a major issue that the Republicans need to address," he added. "If they do [address it], that is just one other issue people want, affordable health care, and that can bring the Republican base and independents to our side for those elections.”

Health care costs for millions of Americans are set to more than double on Thursday with the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies, which Democratic lawmakers unsuccessfully tried to extend amid the recent government shutdown before caving to Republicans’ demands. An estimated 4 million Americans are also expected to lose health insurance with the expiration of the subsidies.

Rather than extending the subsidies, some Republicans have instead backed a plan proposed by President Donald Trump to send Americans $2,000 checks so that they can purchase health insurance on the private market, though no serious legislative effort has been mounted to put Trump’s plan into action.

Other Republicans have backed the idea of establishing and funding health savings accounts for Americans, a proposal not dissimilar from Trump’s, which would allow Americans to purchase health insurance on the private market. Backed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), the proposal, however, lacks the support it needs to advance in Congress.

And yet, despite Republicans having no clear plan to prevent a health care cost hike for millions of Americans, Eberle appeared to remain optimistic that his party could still deliver on lowering health care costs for Americans.

“If we have these results on the budget, on health care, on other items, we can do alright,” he said.