A survey of more than 2,000 rural registered voters conducted by The Associated Press in partnership with KFF reveals a significant gap between rural Americans’ affiliation with the Make America Healthy Again political movement and their assessment of the Trump administration’s health care effectiveness. Approximately half of rural voters identify with MAHA, which has been championed by the Trump administration, but roughly 8 in 10 rural voters reported that the administration’s health policies have produced either negative effects or no impact on community health outcomes. The disconnect extends even to MAHA supporters themselves, with 68% of movement adherents reporting similar negative or neutral assessments.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has become the public face of MAHA, promoting various initiatives including vaccine policy changes, research into ultraprocessed foods, and investments in regenerative agriculture. Despite his efforts to build support for the movement—including campaign appearances and social media engagement in states like Iowa—rural voters appear skeptical about tangible health improvements in their areas. Political observers note this represents a visible split within the Trump administration between Kennedy’s messaging priorities and other policy directions.
Rural communities report persistent structural health care challenges. Nearly half of surveyed rural voters said their communities lack sufficient doctors and health care providers, while even larger majorities reported shortages of mental health workers. The percentage of rural voters citing insufficient hospitals in their communities increased to 35%, up from 21% in a comparable 2017 survey. Health care costs remain a major concern, with at least 6 in 10 rural voters expressing worry about affordability, particularly among those enrolled in Medicaid plans.
Opinions on health care policies divided largely along partisan lines. Democratic and independent voters reported negative impacts on health care costs and community well-being, while Republicans were more likely to report no impact. Trust in Kennedy similarly reflected partisan patterns, with 74% of rural Republican voters reporting substantial trust in him compared with approximately 10% of rural Democratic voters.
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