Americans say they’re worried about opioids and gun violence, but what they really want the government to tackle is rising drug costs and health bills, according to the new Axios-Ipsos American Health Index.
The big picture: Pocketbook health issues still resonate the most with voters, who are increasingly convinced businesses and politicians don’t have their backs.
What they found: The national survey of 1,213 U.S. adults found almost 8 in 10 want insurers to cover weight-loss drugs, and almost 9 in 10 back a monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs for insulin.
- Given options for future government action, half picked lowering costs for health care and prescription drugs. That far exceeded reducing gun deaths or researching cures and treating major disease, which tied for second place.
- “Making ends meet is an increasing challenge so the No. 1 health priority returns back to the overall priority for most Americans, being able to afford the basic necessities of life,” said Cliff Young, president of Ipsos U.S. Public Affairs.
While the financial squeeze is being felt regardless of party affiliation, there still are deep partisan divisions over some cost and coverage decisions.
- Americans overall are almost evenly split over whether insurers should cover transgender-related medical care, but only 16% of Republicans support the idea, compared to 77% of Democrats and 44% of independents.
- Asked if America has spent enough fighting COVID, 76% of Republicans agree, compared to 22% of Democrats and 53% of independents.