In a significant mobilization this weekend, Democrats in Wisconsin are spearheading nearly 400 canvassing events concentrated on health care issues. Simultaneously, Protect Our Care, a major liberal advocacy group, is initiating a robust six-figure digital campaign. This initiative highlights the unified Democratic effort to hold Republicans accountable for the upcoming surge in health care premiums.

This surge, deemed a looming disaster for many Americans, is set to kick in on November 1st. Brad Woodhouse, executive director of Protect Our Care, emphasized the dual threat of this date as both a healthcare and political crisis for Republicans. The group has already conducted a series of town halls across the nation, aiming to bring this issue to the forefront of public attention.

The Democratic strategy includes a variety of approaches. High-profile Democratic governors, such as Kentucky’s Andy Beshear and Laura Kelly of Kansas, have been vocal in press calls, criticizing Washington D.C. Republicans for their role in the rising costs. Meanwhile, traditional tactics like involving former Speaker Nancy Pelosi in DNC calls blend with broader strategies, such as targeted digital ads by Protect Our Care. These ads are pinpointing voters researching ACA plans online, specifically in vulnerable Republican-held districts across Arizona, Iowa, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Adding to the campaign, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is set to release an ad featuring Speaker Mike Johnson, highlighting the juxtaposition of congressional recess against the backdrop of impending insurance hikes. This ad will circulate in 35 competitive House districts starting this weekend.

The stakes are high as illustrated by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, who recently unveiled a 2026 plan showcasing a potential doubling in individual and family premiums. With seniors possibly facing increases exceeding $30,000 annually, the financial impact is stark. Evers was blunt in his criticism, attributing the price hikes directly to Republican policies and calling for an end to the chaos they have caused.

On the legislative front, Republicans have paused health care negotiations until the government reopens, showing resistance to extending necessary tax credits. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated a willingness to convene with Democrats soon to seek a resolution to the ongoing shutdown.

The issue of ACA premium increases is also central in the campaigns of Democratic gubernatorial candidates in Virginia and New Jersey. These states are heading to the polls next week in elections that could serve as indicators for broader national sentiment. In Virginia, Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger has been actively discussing the dramatic rise in out-of-pocket costs for families under the ACA and its broader impacts on insurance coverage and health care accessibility.

As the November 1st deadline approaches, the Democratic message is clear: the responsibility for the health care crisis lays at the feet of President Donald Trump and his Republican counterparts in Washington. This message is poised to be a cornerstone of Democratic campaigns as they lead into the midterm elections, testing its resonance with voters across key battleground states like Wisconsin. Here, despite significant Republican opposition, state Democrats are intensifying their efforts with additional canvassing and new messaging billboards, aiming to make the fiscal realities undeniable for voters.