Key facts
- Nearly two-thirds of voters trust Democrats more than Republicans on health care costs.
- Six in 10 voters are worried about affording health care.
- Health care costs are tied with gas prices as the top affordability concern.
- Democrats held a 42% to 22% trust advantage over Republicans on health care costs in September.
- Support for Medicare for All reached 66% in the poll.
Voters express a significant trust advantage for Democrats over Republicans when it comes to managing health care costs, according to a new poll from the health research group KFF. The survey, conducted from September 16-21, found that six in 10 voters are concerned about their ability to afford health care, placing it on par with gas prices as a top affordability issue.
Democrats held a 20-percentage point lead over Republicans in trust on health care costs, with 42% of voters trusting Democrats compared to 22% for Republicans. This represents a growing advantage for Democrats, who held an 11-point lead in April. Among independent voters, Democrats also maintained at least a two-to-one trust advantage.
KFF President and CEO Drew Altman noted that the unpredictable nature of large health care bills makes them a significant concern for voters, alongside other cost-of-living issues like gas, food, and housing. Shannon Schumacher, a senior survey analyst at KFF and lead author of the poll, suggested that Democrats' focus on affordability in their campaign messaging, contrasted with Republicans' emphasis on fraud and waste, contributes to this trust gap.
The poll also indicated a rise in public support for Medicare for All, reaching 66%, the highest level recorded since 2016. While support for universal health care fluctuates based on arguments presented, the core idea of guaranteeing health insurance as a right resonates with a majority of the public.