Partisan polling often distorts support for government “negotiation” of drug prices with a too-narrow focus and oversimplification of trade-offs.
Recent polling misrepresents public support for Medicare “negotiation”
Proponents of government price setting often misrepresent voters’ opinions on support for allowing the federal government to “negotiate” drug prices. This includes recent polling from advocacy firms like the Alliance for Retired Americans/Lake Research Partners that fails to reveal voters’ true health care priorities and concerns with government price setting, or so-called “negotiation.”
Polling that misrepresents voter opinion by choosing to focus on only one issue, out of context, and neglects to offer trade-offs and policy alternatives not only grossly oversimplifies serious topics, but also overlooks the true concerns of voters and ignores the voices of patient advocates.
The fact is that non-partisan, independent public polls have repeatedly demonstrated that once Americans understand what government “negotiation” is and what the tradeoffs are – restrictions in access or a slowdown in innovation for new treatments – support evaporates.
Americans reject so-called Medicare negotiation once they learn about the trade-offs.
Research from multiple sources reinforces that Americans want to make sure policymakers do not disrupt the innovation ecosystem or limit patient access as part of a “negotiation.”
Voters prefer commonsense, patient-centered solutions to address their true concerns, like lowering out-of-pocket costs while protecting robust access to medicines.
When it comes to addressing patients’ true priorities, policymakers should instead focus on a better way to improve affordability for patients while protecting access and the future development of new cures and treatments. Learn more about PhRMA’s work to build a better health care system here.
Learn more about voters’ real opinions on health care and detecting polling bias here. And tell Congress to protect Medicare.
