Statement from Richard Besser, MD, on Election Day 2026

PRINCETON—Dr. Richard Besser, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, released the following statement recognizing voters’ role in realizing America’s full potential.

"The voters’ message is simple and clear:

Enough."

People across America are frustrated by the high cost of living, exhausted trying to make ends meet, and fed up with a ridiculously expensive and complicated healthcare system. They want leaders who understand how hard it is and will do something to make their lives better.

That work must start now.

At a minimum, policymakers should set out to undo the considerable damage that the Trump Administration and its allies in Congress have caused over the past two years. That means reversing devastating cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP, restoring tax credits that make healthcare plans more affordable, reinvesting in lifesaving medical research, and ensuring that a family’s immigration status does not determine whether they can receive healthcare.

But our ambitions and aspirations should not stop there. This is not the moment to just fix what went wrong—but is a generational opportunity to build what can be.

For 250 years, racism, discrimination, and economic inequality have conspired to prevent America from living up to its potential. Someone, somewhere, has always gotten a raw deal.

Enough already.

As we commit to a bolder future, our grantees are leading the way. The people have spoken, and our grantees are working tirelessly to ensure that every vote gets counted and that every elected official gets sworn in.

This is a moment to think bigger about the nation we want to be.

Realizing America's full promise will take more than one election or new session of Congress. It will require consistent courage from elected officials at all levels and sustained pressure from the voters who put them in office. It will require less talking and more listening.

Philanthropy must do its part as well. RWJF will continue funding organizations and supporting partners across the country who are demanding that promises made during campaign season become meaningful policies that change lives.

RWJF remains focused on our vision of a country where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. And today, with so many communities and partners, we recommit to the work of turning that vision into reality.

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