Most Americans agree: We need to reduce health care costs
All policy ideas tested in the online survey achieved a majority of support from a bipartisan group of respondents.
When it comes to improving the affordability of the U.S. health care system, there may be more consensus among consumers than among Congress.
More than half of respondents to a poll by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation want fundamental changes to the system. When asked to choose the three most effective ideas to reduce costs, the policies that received the most support were limits on charges for prescription drugs (44%), preventing drug companies from blocking cheaper drugs (41%) and Medicare for All (34%).
Related: Where do Medicare beneficiaries stand on health care reform?
All policy ideas tested in the online survey achieved a majority of support from a bipartisan group of respondents, with several receiving 80% or more support, including:
- Limit how much drug companies can charge for specific drugs that save lives or that millions of people use to treat lifelong health conditions such as diabetes (89%).
- Prevent drug companies from blocking cheaper generic drugs from being sold in the United States (86%).
- Limit prices that hospitals can charge for services (85%).
- Allow the government to negotiate lower drug prices for employers and consumers (84%).
- Limit prices that doctors can charge for services, (81%).
- Eliminate health insurance deductibles and copayments so people don’t have to pay more to use their health insurance (80%).
- Eight in 10 respondents believe it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that health care is affordable.
Among the other findings:
- Respondents currently enrolled in the marketplace (78%) or who are uninsured (74%) report facing the most health care sacrifices because of high costs.
- The most frustrating health care costs for all respondents include surprise or unexpected bills (41%), high deductibles (40%) and bills received after care (38%).
- Respondents of color expressed the most worry about costs, while individuals with the lowest incomes (and greatest needs) reported feeling most harmed by high costs.
“This study reinforces the fact that health care affordability is both an economic and racial justice issue that transcends political ideology,” said Avenel Joseph, vice president of policy for the foundation. “Lowering the cost of care is not only a critical step for reducing health disparities and narrowing health inequalities but also one of the most crucial steps policymakers can take to advance health equity in this country.”
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