Poll: Rural MAHA Followers Say Trump Hasn't Improved Health of Their Communities

A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press in partnership with KFF reveals that a majority of rural voters who identify with Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) believe President Donald Trump's healthcare policies have either had a negative impact or no effect on their communities. Only 68% of MAHA supporters feel this way, according to the national survey of more than 2,000 rural registered voters.

This discrepancy highlights a disconnect between the Trump administration's policy priorities and rural America's perception of their reach and effectiveness.

Iowa pastor Mike Jager, who identifies as part of the MAHA movement, believes the Trump administration's health policies have had minimal impact on his community. However, he acknowledges that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's health secretary, is moving in the right direction. Jager's community in Sumner, Iowa, has witnessed family members and neighbors develop diseases they attribute to exposure to agricultural chemicals and unhealthy, processed foods.

A significant number of rural voters prioritize health issues, with two-thirds of MAHA supporters stating it is extremely or very important to vote for a candidate who shares the same views. MAHA has seen support from Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds and Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who previously defeated Trump-backed candidate Zach Lahn in the June Republican primary for governor.

However, the survey indicates that voters are noticing the apparent split between Kennedy's messages and Trump's actions, according to political science professor David Peterson.

Concerns about healthcare access and costs largely diverge along party lines. Democratic and independent voters are more likely to report negative impacts on healthcare costs and the health of their communities, while Republicans are less likely to see any impact. Donna Klocke, a 71-year-old Democrat from Carroll County, Iowa, has witnessed the prevalence of cancer in her farming community and is wary of the MAHA movement due to its anti-vaccine stance and association with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.