Healthcare is a top priority for American voters and there aren't dramatic differences by ideology, according to a new survey.
Americans are most concerned with the future of healthcare and express a steady support of Medicare for All, though that backing is challenged when presented with certain factors, according to a Real Clear Politics poll released Wednesday morning.
Thirty six percent of Americans ranked healthcare as the most important policy issue facing the nation's future, with another 26% naming it as the second most important issue, by far leading the pack of other options.
Researchers found that Americans express a desire for change in the healthcare system, with some leaning towards bolstering the Affordable Care Act while others back the Medicare for All proposal.
State of the healthcare system:
- Not working well and need to improve current one: 39%
- Good but not perfect, need to continually make improvements: 29%
- Broken and need a new one: 28%
- Working well, no need for significant changes: 4%
Even across the aisle, Medicare for All continues to hold widespread support.
Overall, 65% of respondents expressed support for the legislative proposal that would provide health coverage through the Medicare system, with only 27% opposing it. Broken down by political affiliation, 82% of Democrats expressed support, independents registered at 66%, and Republicans were split at 50%.
However, when asked if they supported a system that provided health coverage to all Americans through Medicare but eliminated private insurance companies, overall support fell to 55% and opposition rose to 34%.
Additionally, only 23% of respondents said they felt "very well informed" about Medicare for All, while 20% said they knew "very little" about the policy proposal.
Related: Poll Signals Ways Medicare for All Could Hurt Democrats – Or Win Support From Republicans
The poll did not include questions regarding a Medicare X or Medicare for More proposal, or the potential to include a public option for healthcare coverage.
There are partisan divides when it comes to healthcare goals, as Democrats overwhelmingly prioritize ensuring all Americans have access to care instead of lowering the price of care or prescription drugs.
Meanwhile, Republicans pointed to lowering costs as their major objective.
For their part, most poll respondents favored lowering costs over expanding coverage availability.
Divergence in opinion of the overall healthcare system compared to the personal healthcare Americans receive individually also remains constant.
Seventy two percent of Americans responded that they were satisfied with the healthcare they received while only 44% indicated that they were satisfied with the healthcare other Americans were receiving.
Another 44% of respondents indicated that they felt "financially burdened" by medical bills, though 56% of respondents said they did not.
Related: Gallup Finds Seven in 10 Maintain Negative View of U.S. Healthcare System
Still, respondents remained upbeat about the future, with 66% saying that they think healthcare quality will improve within the next 20 years.
Who will improve healthcare quality:
- Technology industry: 63%
- Biotech: 53%
- Hospitals: 53%
- Life sciences industry: 52%
- Congressional Democrats: 40%
- Pharmaceuticals industry: 38%
- Health insurance industry: 36%
- Congressional Republicans: 30%
- Fortune 500 companies: 27%
Related: Healthcare Industry Most Focused on Consolidation, Consumerism in 2019
Jack O'Brien is the Content Team Lead and Finance Editor at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Thirty six percent of Americans ranked healthcare as the most important policy issue facing the nation's future.
Seventy two percent of Americans responded that they were satisfied with the healthcare they received while only 44% indicated that they were satisfied with the healthcare other Americans were receiving.
Overall, 65% of respondents expressed support for Medicare for All, though only 23% said they felt "very well-informed" about the proposal.