Majority of Americans Want More Healthcare Attention in 2024 Presidential Campaign
TL/DR –
A new poll by West Health and Gallup suggests that a majority of Americans believe healthcare is not receiving enough attention in the 2024 presidential campaign. Overall, 67% of U.S. adults say healthcare isn’t getting enough focus, including 53% of Republicans. The issues of importance for voters include a candidate’s position on protecting Medicare and lowering drug costs, with 63% indicating these are the most important healthcare-related issues determining their vote.
New Poll Reveals Election 2024 Healthcare Concerns Among American Voters
A recent West Health and Gallup poll has found that 67% of American adults believe healthcare issues are not receiving enough attention in the 2024 presidential campaign. The upcoming vice presidential debate provides a unique opportunity for the two campaigns to address these concerns and present their healthcare policy plans.
The study involved 3,660 participants surveyed between Sept. 9-16, with attitudes consistent regardless of whether participants were surveyed before or after the Sept. 10 presidential debate.
Healthcare in the Presidential Campaign
Two-thirds of Americans, including majorities from both political parties, feel healthcare is not receiving enough attention during the presidential campaign. Moreover, 71% of respondents who watched the Sept. 10 debate share this sentiment. This viewpoint is held by 77% of Democrats, 74% of independents, and 57% of Republicans who watched the debate.
Trust in Candidate’s Healthcare Policies
Trust levels in the presidential candidates to tackle key healthcare cost and quality issues fall along party lines. Independents, however, are slightly more likely to trust Kamala Harris over Donald Trump. It is particularly evident on issues related to improving access to care, insurance coverage, and protecting or strengthening Medicare. Around a third of independents report they do not trust either candidate on the healthcare issues polled.
Candidate’s Position on Healthcare Policy
Almost half of Americans state that a candidate’s position on lowering drug costs and mental healthcare policy are crucial in determining their vote in the upcoming election. Protecting Medicare and Social Security is the single most or among the most important healthcare-related issue for 63% of Americans, with lowering the cost of healthcare close behind at 57%.
Importance of Healthcare Issues in Voting
The importance of healthcare issues differs among older and younger Americans. Older Americans prioritize protecting Medicare and Social Security and lowering drug costs. However, younger and older voters place equal importance on a candidate’s positions on lowering healthcare costs and their mental healthcare policies.
Optimism for the Future of Healthcare
According to the West Health-Gallup Healthcare Affordability Index, just over half of the American public say they can pay for medicine or healthcare if they needed it today, a decline from a high of 61% in 2022. Democrats express optimism for the future of healthcare, while Republicans and independents are pessimistic.
Key Takeaways
Americans want more focus on lowering healthcare costs, especially those aged 65 and older. This age group constitutes a significant voting bloc in the U.S., estimated to reach 63.3 million by 2025. Despite other political issues overshadowing healthcare in the current election, Americans remain seriously concerned about affording the healthcare they need. More than two in three Americans are concerned that a major health event could lead to medical debt.
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