Texas · U.S. Senate · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on healthcare?
Ken PaxtonRepublican
James TalaricoDemocrat
Part of the full Texas U.S. Senate comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Healthcare
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Ken Paxton
Proposes a $25,000 tax deduction for out-of-pocket medical costs including premiums and a $5,000 healthy-lifestyle deduction; pledges to take on pharmaceutical and food companies and increase health care transparency.
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- Campaign proposalJuly 31, 2026
Proposes a $25,000 tax deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses, including premiums, plus $25,000 per dependent, and a $5,000 deduction for gym, nutrition, youth sports and GLP-1 weight-loss medication costs. SourcePaxton unveils economic plan tied to tax breaks in Senate race (opens in a new tab)The Texas Tribune · July 31, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal
Says that in the Senate he would work with President Trump to "Make America Healthy Again" by taking on pharmaceutical and food companies and increasing transparency in the food and health care systems, citing his actions as attorney general against drug companies. 2 sourcesThe Fight at Hand (opens in a new tab)Ken Paxton for Senate · CampaignTexas U.S. Senator — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
- Campaign proposalJuly 31, 2026
Proposes a $25,000 tax deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses, including premiums, plus $25,000 per dependent, and a $5,000 deduction for gym, nutrition, youth sports and GLP-1 weight-loss medication costs. SourcePaxton unveils economic plan tied to tax breaks in Senate race (opens in a new tab)The Texas Tribune · July 31, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal
Says that in the Senate he would work with President Trump to "Make America Healthy Again" by taking on pharmaceutical and food companies and increasing transparency in the food and health care systems, citing his actions as attorney general against drug companies. 2 sourcesThe Fight at Hand (opens in a new tab)Ken Paxton for Senate · CampaignTexas U.S. Senator — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
James Talarico
Proposes letting Americans of any age join Medicare, restoring enhanced ACA tax credits, reversing what his campaign calls Trump administration cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, and capping drug costs.
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- Campaign proposal
Proposes allowing every American to join Medicare, restoring the enhanced ACA premium tax credits, capping out-of-pocket drug costs, regulating pharmacy benefit managers, canceling eligible medical debt and reversing what his campaign calls the Trump administration’s cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. 3 sourcesJames Talarico on Health Care & Prescription Drug Costs (opens in a new tab)Talarico for Texas · Jan. 2, 2026 · CampaignTalarico tackles abortion, faith and ‘conspiracy theories’: Takeaways from the CNN & Jubilee town hall (opens in a new tab)CNN · Oct. 14, 2026 · NewsTexas U.S. Senator — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
- Past action2021
Was listed as a House co-lead on S.B. 827 (2021), authored by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, which set a $25 cap on out-of-pocket costs for a 30-day insulin supply on state-regulated health plans. 2 sourcesNew Talarico campaign ad puts spotlight on his role in passing bill that caps insulin costs (opens in a new tab)The Texas Tribune, via KSAT · Jan. 27, 2026 · NewsBill capping insulin prices in Texas passes House, Senate (opens in a new tab)Houston Chronicle (Chron.com) · May 25, 2021 · News
- Campaign proposal
Proposes allowing every American to join Medicare, restoring the enhanced ACA premium tax credits, capping out-of-pocket drug costs, regulating pharmacy benefit managers, canceling eligible medical debt and reversing what his campaign calls the Trump administration’s cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. 3 sourcesJames Talarico on Health Care & Prescription Drug Costs (opens in a new tab)Talarico for Texas · Jan. 2, 2026 · CampaignTalarico tackles abortion, faith and ‘conspiracy theories’: Takeaways from the CNN & Jubilee town hall (opens in a new tab)CNN · Oct. 14, 2026 · NewsTexas U.S. Senator — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaire
- Past action2021
Was listed as a House co-lead on S.B. 827 (2021), authored by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, which set a $25 cap on out-of-pocket costs for a 30-day insulin supply on state-regulated health plans. 2 sourcesNew Talarico campaign ad puts spotlight on his role in passing bill that caps insulin costs (opens in a new tab)The Texas Tribune, via KSAT · Jan. 27, 2026 · NewsBill capping insulin prices in Texas passes House, Senate (opens in a new tab)Houston Chronicle (Chron.com) · May 25, 2021 · News
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