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Poll shows health care affordability remains on the ballot and could have a big impact on elections
Nearly nine in 10 Americans say a candidate's plan to reduce health care costs will be a major factor in deciding whether to vote, and nearly 40% of them, or an estimated 100 million Americans, say it could even lead them to cross party lines in the upcoming midterm elections, according to a new poll from West Health and Gallup. In the nationally representative survey of more than 5,500 Americans, independents (50%) and Democrats (40%) were about twice as likely as Republicans (22%) to say they would support a vote for a candidate from a party other than their...
Poll shows health care affordability remains on the ballot and could have a big impact on elections
Nearly nine in 10 Americans say a candidate's plan to reduce health care costs will be a major factor in deciding whether to vote, and nearly 40% of them, or an estimated 100 million Americans, say it could even lead them to cross party lines in the upcoming midterm elections, according to a new poll from West Health and Gallup.
In the nationally representative survey of more than 5,500 Americans, independents (50%) and Democrats (40%) were about twice as likely as Republicans (22%) to say they would vote for a candidate from a party other than their own if a reduction in health care costs was that candidate's top priority. Across racial lines, significantly more Black Americans (65%) and Hispanic Americans (60%) than white Americans (34%) say they are willing to do the same.
But even if it's not enough to sway their vote, 77% of Republicans, 85% of Independents and 96% of Democrats say health care will be an important issue in the next election, with Black Americans (65%) and Hispanic Americans (60%) much more likely than white Americans (41%) to say this.
Our poll shows that health care affordability remains up for debate and could have a major impact on the November midterm elections. It is clear that candidates who have a plan to reduce the overall cost of health care and prescription drugs and understand how important the issue is to voters could be rewarded.”
Timothy A. Lash, President, West Health
The vast majority of Americans (86%) also say a candidate's plan to specifically lower prescription drug costs is very or somewhat important to their vote, with Black and Hispanic Americans and older adults giving the issue the greatest importance. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Black Americans and 56% of Hispanic Americans say the issue is “very important” to their vote, compared to 40% of white Americans.
In the same survey, three-quarters of Americans (74%), or 190 million adults, give the U.S. health care system a poor or failing grade when it comes to affordability. Nearly one in five people say they or a family member have had a health problem worsen after being unable to pay for the care they need, and another estimated 70 million people (27%) say they wouldn't be able to afford quality health care if they needed quality health care today. Half of the country, about 129 million people, express a lack of confidence that they can afford health care as they age.
“The survey data suggests that tackling high health care and prescription drug costs is particularly motivating for voting blocs that can influence elections,” said Dan Witters, research director for the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index.
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