The mid-term elections are over and while some key House and Senate race results remain in question, the overall structure of the 116th Congress has been determined. Republicans have expanded their majority in the United States Senate and Democrats have secured the majority in the House of Representatives. The exact margins of the majority in both chambers remains uncertain, but on Thursday, January 3, 2019, we will have a split government. This will mark the first time that Democrats have controlled the House of Representatives since they lost their majority in 2010.
- Voter Participation: The 2018 mid-terms set records for the number of votes cast.
- Women: Over 100 women were elected to serve in the 116th Congress – a record number.
- Medicaid: Three states (Nebraska, Idaho, and Utah) approved ballot initiatives to expand Medicaid. Three other states (Kansas, Maine, and Wisconsin) elected Democratic governors, thus clearing a path for Medicaid expansion in those states.
The AAFP will host a post-election webinar on Tuesday, November 27, at 3 p.m. This webinar will feature national political and health policy experts who will summarize the elections and predict what we can expect to see during the 116th Congress. If you are interested in participating in the call, you can register by joining the AAFP’s Family Medicine Action Network.