Ohio Senate Race Surpasses $500 Million as Health Care Costs Spike

The race for the U.S. Senate in Ohio has exceeded $500 million in advertising costs, making it one of the most expensive contests in the nation. AdImpact reported on Oct. 27 that the total includes future reservations. This financial surge accompanies a sharp increase in health care expenses for Ohio residents.

Private health insurance premiums in Ohio are expected to rise by more than 10%. Affordable Care Act marketplace plans saw an average premium jump of 18% this year. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio provided these figures to illustrate the financial strain on consumers.

Enrollment in ACA marketplace plans fell by more than 161,000 in February 2026 compared to the previous year. This represents a 32.4% decline. The drop followed the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies at the end of 2025, which raised the price of coverage for many people.

Incumbent Republican Sen. Jon Husted and challenger Sherrod Brown are trading blame for the rising costs. Husted, backed by No Going Back PAC, claims Brown supported policies that benefited large insurance companies. The ad accuses Brown of being a shill for big insurance while noting he took $240,000 from the industry. Brown counters that Husted voted nine times against lowering premiums while accepting $700,000 from the same insurers.

Prescription drug prices have also increased significantly. Brown stated at a campaign stop in Steubenville that he wants to cap these costs. He proposed a government negotiation model similar to the Department of Veterans Affairs approach. Husted sponsored a bill to allow more drugs to be sold over the counter. He also cited the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which includes anti-fraud measures for Medicaid. Husted said these changes will save billions by requiring states to check eligibility more frequently.

More than three million Ohioans currently receive Medicaid coverage. Advocates estimate that changes in the recent legislation could remove more than half a million people from those rolls. Brown said his opposition to the bill was a primary reason for his return to the Senate race. Husted praised the economic benefits of the legislation while working to build consensus on renewing the premium tax credit.