Last week’s Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas gave a peek at the party’s policy themes that will likely shape both the Administration’s agenda and 2027 Republican congressional priorities. Speakers at the convention emphasized an “America First” governing philosophy centered on affordability, preventative health, and greater support for rural communities. Perhaps the greatest highlight was President Trump’s new ideas about direct consumer relief. Here’s what we learned from the convention about the Republican health policy vision:

• Affordability: Republican speakers argued that families’ rising healthcare and other household costs could be helped by direct financial assistance and increased consumer choice, rather than expanding existing federal subsidy programs.
• Fraud, Waste and Abuse: Discussions largely centered on affordability, program integrity and waste reduction, with speakers presenting government oversight and anti-fraud efforts as powerful levers to reduce healthcare spending and restore public trust.
• “Make America Healthy Again”: Preventative health continued to be emphasized, especially nutrition, healthy food access, chronic disease prevention and healthy lifestyle.
• Investment in Rural Communities: Speakers repeatedly linked greater overall investment in rural communities with improving healthcare access and community self-sufficiency, emphasizing the importance of domestic manufacturing of medicines and supplies, and reducing dependence on international supply chains.