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EPISODE · Apr 15, 2026 · 58 MIN

Why rural areas vote Republican despite worse health outcomes

from The Science of Politics · host Niskanen Center

Rural America has moved toward strong Republican voting even though Republican governance helps explain worse health outcomes in rural areas, from hospital closures to opioid policies. Michael Shepherd finds that rural areas disproportionately suffer from Republican policies but Republicans successfully blame Democrats for worse health outcomes, especially when Democratic policies can be framed as helping immigrants or racial minorities. There’s no obvious way out for Democrats, who own health policy and its outcomes.

Rural America has moved toward strong Republican voting even though Republican governance helps explain worse health outcomes in rural areas, from hospital closures to opioid policies. Michael Shepherd finds that rural areas disproportionately suffer from Republican policies but Republicans successfully blame Democrats for worse health outcomes, especially when Democratic policies can be framed as helping immigrants or racial minorities. There’s no obvious way out for Democrats, who own health policy and its outcomes.

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Why rural areas vote Republican despite worse health outcomes

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This episode was published on April 15, 2026.

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Rural America has moved toward strong Republican voting even though Republican governance helps explain worse health outcomes in rural areas, from hospital closures to opioid policies. Michael Shepherd finds that rural areas disproportionately...

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