The Elections Are Over. Democrats Control Congress. What Now?

Published in VGM Government Relations on November 04, 2026

By Ike Isaacson, SVP Government Relations 

The votes have been counted, the campaign signs are finally coming down, and Democrats will enter 2027 controlling both the House and the Senate. While election outcomes always grab the headlines, what matters most for the home medical equipment industry is what happens next.  

For DME providers, manufacturers, and stakeholders, the focus should not be on politics. It should be on policy. The committees responsible for Medicare, Medicaid, healthcare oversight, and federal spending will now begin setting priorities that could significantly impact our industry and the patients we serve. 

A Democratic Congress is likely to place increased emphasis on healthcare affordability, beneficiary protections, care coordination, chronic disease management, and expanding access to care in the home. Those priorities create both opportunities and challenges for the DME community. 

Home-based Care Has Momentum 

One of the biggest opportunities for our industry is the continued bipartisan recognition that healthcare is steadily moving into the home. While Democrats may approach healthcare policy differently than Republicans, support for aging in place, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, and improving patient outcomes through home-based care remains strong.  

Expect lawmakers to continue exploring telehealth expansion, remote patient monitoring, hospital-at-home programs, and other models that help patients receive care in lower-cost, more convenient settings. For DME providers, these discussions reinforce what we have been saying for years: home medical equipment is not simply a product. It is a critical component of modern healthcare delivery.  

Medicare Advantage and Prior Authorization Will Remain Under the Microscope 

If there is one issue likely to receive significant attention over the next two years, it is Medicare Advantage oversight. Congressional Democrats have consistently expressed concerns about prior authorization delays, beneficiary access issues, network adequacy challenges, and plan accountability. Those concerns closely mirror what many providers and patients have experienced firsthand.  

For the DME industry, this creates an opportunity to continue documenting how administrative barriers impact patient care and to advocate for reforms that improve access while maintaining program integrity. 

Cost Pressures Are Not Going Away 

While Democrats may pursue different policy solutions, concerns about Medicare spending and long-term program sustainability are not disappearing. Every healthcare sector will face increased scrutiny as lawmakers search for ways to protect Medicare while managing federal spending.  

That means our industry must continue to demonstrate value. We need policymakers to understand that properly deployed home medical equipment helps prevent hospital admissions, reduces healthcare utilization, improves outcomes, and ultimately lowers overall healthcare costs. Those are arguments that resonate regardless of party affiliation. 

Workforce and Access Challenges Remain 

Workforce shortages, supply chain resiliency, chronic disease management, and healthcare access continue to be major concerns for Congress. These issues directly affect providers serving patients in the home and will remain part of the healthcare policy conversation in Washington.  

Rural healthcare access is another area where our industry has an important story to tell. Members of Congress from both parties understand the challenges facing rural communities and the vital role local DME providers play in maintaining access to care.  

What We're Watching in 2027 

Several key themes are likely to shape federal healthcare policy during the next Congress: 

• Increased oversight of Medicare Advantage plans and prior authorization practices.  
• Continued focus on healthcare affordability and beneficiary protections. 
• Expansion of home-based care models and technologies.  
• Ongoing pressure to address Medicare spending and program sustainability.  
• Efforts to improve healthcare access in underserved and rural communities.  
• Continued advocacy to pause and reform Competitive Bidding.  

The Bottom Line 

The election changed the political landscape, but it did not change the fundamental challenges facing American healthcare. An aging population, rising costs, workforce shortages, and growing demand for care delivered in the home will continue to drive policy discussions in Washington.  

For the DME industry, the path forward remains the same. We must continue telling our story, building relationships with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and demonstrating how home medical equipment improves lives while helping the healthcare system operate more efficiently. Congress may have changed, but our mission has not. The opportunity before us is to ensure policymakers see the DME community not as an expense, but as an essential part of the solution.