health care affordability polling - morning consult · 7 in 10 adults say health care, the economy,...

Health Care Affordability Polling

February 2019

S L I D E /

Adults think the cost of health care in the United States is too high.

Adults would also be more likely to vote for a member of Congress in the next election if he or she worked to reduce health care costs.

There is broad opposition to the health care taxes.

There is strong support to delay the health care taxes.

• 2 in 5 adults find it difficult to pay monthly health care expenses.

• 2 in 3 adults say the costs associated with their health care have increased in the past five years.

• Adults are six times more likely to oppose the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) than support it.

• Adults are four times more likely to oppose the Medical Device Tax than support it.

• Adults are three times more likely to oppose the Cadillac Tax than support it.

• 9 in 10 adults think it’s important for their member of Congress to address health care costs.

H E A L T H C A R E A F F O R D A B I L I T Y P O L L I N G

Key Points

Methodology: This poll was conducted by Morning Consult and sponsored by Stop the HIT. The survey fielded from February 1-2, 2019, among a national sample of 2,202 adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, race/ethnicity, gender, educational attainment, and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of +/- 2%.

2

• Adults support a delay of the Health Insurance Tax by a 42-point margin.

• A plurality of adults are more likely to vote for their member of Congress if they supported delaying the Health Insurance Tax, Medical Device Tax, or Cadillac Tax.

And, opposition to the health care taxes tested spans party lines, with a plurality of both Democrats and Republicans opposing the taxes.

S L I D E /

Policy Priorities

Health Care Costs

Health Insurance Tax

Medical Device Tax

Cadillac Tax

Contents


3

S L I D E /

7 in 10 adults say health care, the economy, and social security are very important policy issues or areas.

Policy Priorities

How important are each of the following policy issues and areas to you?


92%

94%

91%

88%

90%

87%

Total Important

4

61% 26% 7%

65% 25% 5%

65% 23% 7%

71% 20% 5%

72% 22%

73% 19%

Education

Security

Medicare

Social Security

The Economy

Health Care

Very important Somewhat important Don't know Not too important Not important at all

S L I D E /

Policy Priorities

Health Care Costs


Medical Device Tax

Cadillac Tax

Contents


5

S L I D E /

Of the expenses tested, adults rate housing and health care expenses as the most difficult to pay.

Health Care Costs

Below are a variety of payments you may have to make on a monthly basis. Please rank the following by the 'difficulty to pay' where '1' represents most difficult cost of living expense you have to pay in the list provided, and '7' represents the easiest cost of living expense you have to pay in the list provided.


6

7% 26% 19%

10% 16% 15%

11% 15% 28%

15% 16% 14%

10% 6% 8%

21% 11% 9%

26% 9% 6%

4% 12% 21% 11%

4% 14% 27% 13%

4% 15% 17% 9%

11% 22% 12% 10%

18% 7% 7% 43%

29% 13% 8% 9%

29% 17% 7% 5%

Transportation

Food

Utilities

Taxes

Debt Repayment

Health Care

Housing

Rank: 1

Rank: 2

Rank: 3

Rank: 4

Rank: 5

Rank: 6

Rank: 7

S L I D E /

3 in 5 adults believe health care in the United States has gotten off on the wrong track.

Health Care Costs

Generally, do you believe health care is the United States is going in the right direction, or has health care in the United State gotten off on the wrong track?


7

62%

16%22%

Wrong track Right direction Don't know

S L I D E /

4 in 5 adults think the cost of health care in the United States is currently too high.

Health Care Costs

And, do you think the cost of health care in the United States is currently too high, too low, or about right?


8

9%2%

7%

82%

Too high About right Too low Don't know

S L I D E /

Thinking about the past five years, 2 in 3 adults say the costs associated with their health care have increased.

Health Care Costs

In the past five years, have the costs associated with your health care increased, decreased, or stayed about the same?


9

22%3%

9%

66%

Increased Stayed the same Decreased Don't know

S L I D E /

And, thinking about the next five years, 2 in 3 adults expect the costs associated with their health care to increase.

Health Care Costs

And, in the next five years, do you expect the costs associated with your health care to increase, decrease, or stay about the same?


1 0

17% 5%

65%

13%

Increase Stay the same Decrease Don't know

S L I D E /

9 in 10 adults think it’s important for their member of Congress to address health care costs.

Health Care Costs

How important is it for your member of Congress to address health care costs?


1 1

4% 1% 4%

68%

23%

Very important Somewhat important Not too important Not important at all Don't know

91%Important

5%Not important

S L I D E /

4%

6%

8%

5%11%

5%4%4%

71% 23%69% 25% 4%67% 21% 4%

61% 30% 5%62% 24% 4%

80% 15%76% 19%

73% 21%65% 24% 5%

53% 29% 5%70% 21%

67% 24% 4%68% 23% 4%

PID: Rep (no lean)

PID: Ind (no lean)

PID: Dem (no lean)

Age: 65+

Age: 45-64

Age: 30-44

Age: 18-29

Gender: Female

Gender: Male

Adults

Very important Somewhat important Don't know Not too important Not important at all

A majority of both Democrats and Republicans think it is very important for their member of Congress to address health care costs.

Health Care Costs

How important is it for your member of Congress to address health care costs?


91%

91%

91%

82%

89%

94%

95%

95%

86%

91%

88%

94%

94%

Total Important

1 2

Income: $100k+

Income: $50k-100k

Income: Under $50k

S L I D E /

8 in 10 adults would be more likely to vote for their member of Congress in the next election if he or she worked to reduce health care costs.

Health Care Costs

If your member of Congress worked to reduce health care costs, would you be more likely or less likely to vote for him or her in their next election?


1 3

12%1% 1%

8%

45%

34%

Much morelikely

Somewhat morelikely

It would haveno impact

Somewhat lesslikely

Much lesslikely

Don't know

79%More likely

2%Less likely

S L I D E /

10%11%

13%17%

11%9%

16%11%10%

10%11%

13%12%

46% 37% 5%46% 37% 4%

44% 31% 10%38% 37% 6%

41% 34% 12%54% 31% 5%

45% 34%46% 35% 7%46% 35% 8%

42% 30% 15%45% 33% 9%45% 35% 6%45% 34% 8%

PID: Rep (no lean)

PID: Ind (no lean)

PID: Dem (no lean)

Age: 65+

Age: 45-64

Age: 30-44

Age: 18-29

Gender: Female

Gender: Male

Adults

Much more likely Somewhat morelikely

It would have noimpact

Somewhat lesslikely

Much less likely Don't know

A majority of Democrats and Republicans report being more likely to vote for their member of Congress if he or she worked to reduce health care costs.

Health Care Costs

If your member of Congress worked to reduce health care costs, would you be more likely or less likely to vote for him or her in their next election?


79%

80%

78%

74%

80%

81%

79%

85%

75%

75%

75%

83%

83%

TotalLikely

1 4

Income: $100k+

Income: $50k-100k

Income: Under $50k

S L I D E /

Policy Priorities

Health Care Costs


Medical Device Tax

Cadillac Tax

Contents


1 5

S L I D E /

Adults are six times more likely to oppose the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) than support it.


As you may know, the federal government imposes a tax on most health insurance policies, also known as the 'Health Insurance Tax' (HIT), that increases the cost of health insurance premiums by about 3%. Based on what you know, do you support or oppose the Health Insurance Tax (HIT)?


1 6

3%6% 15%

19%

42%

15%

Stronglysupport

Somewhatsupport

Neither supportnor oppose

Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know

9%Support

61%Oppose

S L I D E /

16%15%15%12%

15%16%

12%15%

17%16%

14%15%

15%

6% 20% 42% 13%7% 21% 43% 12%6% 17% 42% 17%7% 20% 46% 11%

5% 18% 40% 20%5% 7% 18% 41% 13%

5% 16% 54% 12%4% 21% 47% 12%

5% 9% 18% 36% 15%6% 10% 18% 26% 24%4% 18% 43% 19%

4% 10% 19% 42% 11%6% 19% 42% 15%

PID: Rep (no lean)

PID: Ind (no lean)

PID: Dem (no lean)

Age: 65+

Age: 45-64

Age: 30-44

Age: 18-29

Gender: Female

Gender: Male

Adults

Strongly support Somewhat support Neither supportnor oppose


A majority of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents are likely to oppose the Health Insurance Tax.


As you may know, the federal government imposes a tax on most health insurance policies, also known as the 'Health Insurance Tax' (HIT), that increases the cost of health insurance premiums by about 3%. Based on what you know, do you support or oppose the Health Insurance Tax (HIT)?


61%

61%

61%

47%

55%

68%

70%

59%

58%

66%

59%

64%

62%

TotalOppose

1 7

Income: $100k+

Income: $50k-100k

Income: Under $50k

S L I D E /

Adults are four times more likely to support Congress delaying the HIT than they are to oppose it.


The Health Insurance Tax (HIT) was delayed by Congress for 2019, but is set to come back in 2020. Recently, the Senate introduced a bipartisan bill to extend the delay of the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) through 2021. Based on what you know, do you support or oppose Congress delaying of the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) for two more years?


1 8

16%7% 7%

35%

21%

15%

Stronglysupport

Somewhatsupport



56%Support

14%Oppose

S L I D E /

13%

16%

16%

14%

15%

18%

14%

14%

16%

21%

14%

17%

16%

36% 23% 7% 7% 13%

37% 22% 7% 5% 12%

33% 19% 6% 8% 18%

37% 25% 6% 6% 12%

31% 20% 6% 7% 20%

36% 19% 7% 7% 14%

42% 19% 5% 8% 11%

38% 22% 7% 6% 13%

29% 23% 7% 9% 16%

25% 17% 7% 5% 26%

33% 22% 6% 6% 19%

36% 19% 8% 8% 12%

35% 21% 7% 7% 15%

PID: Rep (no lean)

PID: Ind (no lean)

PID: Dem (no lean)

Age: 65+

Age: 45-64

Age: 30-44

Age: 18-29

Gender: Female

Gender: Male

Adults



A majority of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents are likely to support Congress delaying the Health Insurance Tax for two more years.


The Health Insurance Tax (HIT) was delayed by Congress for 2019, but is set to come back in 2020. Recently, the Senate introduced a bipartisan bill to extend the delay of the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) through 2021. Based on what you know, do you support or oppose Congress delaying of the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) for two more years?


56%

55%

55%

46%

52%

60%

61%

55%

51%

62%

52%

59%

59%

TotalSupport

1 9

Income: $100k+

Income: $50k-100k

Income: Under $50k

S L I D E /

Half of adults say they would be more likely to vote for their member of Congress in the next election if he or she votes to delay the Health Insurance Tax.


If your member of Congress voted to delay the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) for two more years, would you be more or less likely to vote for him or her in their next election?


2 0

24%

4% 5%

23%26%

19%

Much morelikely

Somewhat morelikely


Somewhat lesslikely

Much lesslikely

Don't know

49%More likely

9%Less likely

S L I D E /

25%

26%

22%

26%

24%

22%

25%

26%

22%

19%

21%

27%

24%

22% 30% 4% 5% 14%

24% 27% 5% 15%

23% 24% 4% 5% 23%

23% 28% 5% 15%

21% 24% 5% 24%

25% 26% 5% 5% 17%

25% 26% 5% 16%

25% 27% 15%

21% 27% 5% 6% 19%

18% 22% 6% 4% 31%

22% 28% 4% 23%

24% 23% 6% 6% 15%

23% 26% 4% 5% 19%

PID: Rep (no lean)

PID: Ind (no lean)

PID: Dem (no lean)

Age: 65+

Age: 45-64

Age: 30-44

Age: 18-29

Gender: Female

Gender: Male

Adults



Somewhat lesslikely


Half of Democrats and Republicans report being more likely to vote for their member of Congress if he or she voted to delay the HIT.


If your member of Congress voted to delay the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) for two more years, would you be more or less likely to vote for him or her in their next election?


49%

47%

50%

43%

47%

52%

51%

51%

45%

51%

47%

51%

52%

TotalMore Likely

2 1

Income: $100k+

Income: $50k-100k

Income: Under $50k

S L I D E /

11%

10%

10%

57% 23% 6%

66% 19% 5%

67% 16% 5%

If Congress does not delay the tax, it could makeit more difficult for small businesses to provide

health coverage to their employees

If Congress does not delay the tax, it could costthe average American family an extra $500 a year

If Congress does not delay the tax, it could causepremiums to increase by $500 for a senior couple

enrolled in Medicare Advantage

Very concerning Somewhatconcerning

Don't know Not too concerning Not at allconcerning

2 in 3 adults are very concerned that if Congress does not delay the Health Insurance Tax, it could cause premiums to increase for senior couples enrolled in Medicare Advantage and it could cost the average American family an additional $500 a year.


Below are several statements about Health Insurance Tax (HIT) and the impact to Americans if Congress does not further delay the tax. Please read each and indicate how concerning each statement is to you personally.


83%

85%

80%

TotalConcerning

2 2

S L I D E /

10%

8%

9%

7%

6%

55% 21% 11%

59% 20% 9%

59% 20% 9%

62% 20% 10%

66% 17% 8%

Voting to delay the Health Insurance Tax for 2020is a simple thing Congress can do now to make

health care more affordable for American families,seniors, and small businesses

The Health Insurance Tax puts affordable healthcare further out of reach for hard-working

Americans

Small businesses cannot afford a $500 increase peremployee in their health insurance premiums

The Health Insurance Tax makes it harder forAmericans to access insurance due to rising

premiums

American families cannot afford a $500 increase intheir health insurance premiums

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neither agreenor disagree

Somewhatdisagree

Stronglydisagree

Don't know

2 in 3 adults strongly agree American families cannot afford a $500 increase in their health insurance premiums.


Based on what you've read today, please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements.


83%

82%

79%

79%

76%

TotalAgree

2 3

S L I D E /

Policy Priorities

Health Care Costs


Medical Device Tax

Cadillac Tax

Contents


2 4

S L I D E /

Adults are four times more likely to oppose the Medical Device Tax than support it.

Medical Device Tax

As you may know, the federal government imposes a 2.3% tax on medical devices sold domestically. This tax is referred to as the 'Medical Device Tax.' Based on what you know, do you support or oppose the Medical Device Tax?


2 5

4%

8%

21%19%

28%

20%

Stronglysupport

Somewhatsupport



12%Support

47%Oppose

S L I D E /

24%22%

20%21%

22%21%

19%20%

23%23%

20%23%

21%

4% 8% 16% 30% 18%9% 24% 25% 17%

5% 7% 17% 29% 22%8% 19% 30% 19%

7% 19% 26% 24%6% 9% 19% 28% 18%

5% 22% 34% 17%7% 19% 34% 17%

5% 9% 20% 23% 19%7% 10% 15% 13% 32%

6% 20% 27% 25%6% 10% 18% 29% 14%

4% 8% 19% 28% 20%

PID: Rep (no lean)

PID: Ind (no lean)

PID: Dem (no lean)

Age: 65+

Age: 45-64

Age: 30-44

Age: 18-29

Gender: Female

Gender: Male

Adults



Opposition for the Medical Device Tax crosses party lines.

Medical Device Tax

As you may know, the federal government imposes a 2.3% tax on medical devices sold domestically. This tax is referred to as the 'Medical Device Tax.' Based on what you know, do you support or oppose the Medical Device Tax?


47%

47%

47%

32%

44%

53%

56%

47%

45%

49%

46%

49%

46%

TotalOppose

2 6

Income: $100k+

Income: $50k-100k

Income: Under $50k

S L I D E /

A plurality say they would be more likely to vote for their member of Congress in the next election if he or she voted to delay the Medical Device Tax.

Medical Device Tax

If your member of Congress voted to delay the Medical Device Tax, would you be more or less likely to vote for him or her in their next election?


2 7

30%

5%3%

18%22% 22%

Much morelikely

Somewhat morelikely


Somewhat lesslikely

Much lesslikely

Don't know

40%More likely

8%Less likely

S L I D E /

34%

32%

27%

29%

29%

31%

33%

32%

29%

22%

29%

31%

30%

17% 24% 4% 18%

18% 23% 5% 18%

18% 22% 5% 25%

19% 23% 5% 20%

14% 22% 4% 4% 27%

20% 22% 5% 18%

21% 22% 18%

19% 23% 4% 19%

16% 23% 6% 22%

15% 20% 7% 33%

16% 23% 4% 26%

20% 22% 6% 4% 17%

18% 22% 5% 22%

PID: Rep (no lean)

PID: Ind (no lean)

PID: Dem (no lean)

Age: 65+

Age: 45-64

Age: 30-44

Age: 18-29

Gender: Female

Gender: Male

Adults



Somewhat lesslikely


A plurality of Democrats and Republicans report being more likely to vote for their member of Congress if he or she votes to delay the Medical Device Tax.

Medical Device Tax

If your member of Congress voted to delay the Medical Device Tax, would you be more or less likely to vote for him or her in their next election?


40%

42%

39%

36%

40%

42%

43%

42%

36%

42%

40%

41%

41%

TotalMore Likely

2 8

Income: $100k+

Income: $50k-100k

Income: Under $50k

S L I D E /

Policy Priorities

Health Care Costs


Medical Device Tax

Cadillac Tax

Contents


2 9

S L I D E /

Adults are three times more likely to oppose the Cadillac Tax than support it.

Cadillac Tax

As you may know, the federal government will impose a 40% tax, also referred to as the 'Cadillac Tax,' on some high value employer-provided health plans starting in 2022. Based on what you know, do you support or oppose the Cadillac Tax?


3 0

6%9%

17%14%

32%

23%

Stronglysupport

Somewhatsupport



15%Support

46%Oppose

S L I D E /

14%17%17%

14%18%

18%15%

17%16%

18%16%

18%17%

5% 6% 18% 37% 20%6% 9% 16% 32% 19%6% 9% 12% 30% 26%

4% 10% 16% 37% 19%6% 6% 13% 30% 27%8% 11% 14% 28% 22%6% 12% 11% 34% 22%

5% 6% 16% 37% 19%6% 9% 15% 30% 23%

9% 10% 11% 19% 32%4% 7% 14% 31% 28%

9% 12% 14% 32% 17%6% 9% 14% 32% 23%

PID: Rep (no lean)

PID: Ind (no lean)

PID: Dem (no lean)

Age: 65+

Age: 45-64

Age: 30-44

Age: 18-29

Gender: Female

Gender: Male

Adults



Republicans, Independents, and Democrats are likely to oppose to the Cadillac Tax.

Cadillac Tax

As you may know, the federal government will impose a 40% tax, also referred to as the 'Cadillac Tax,' on some high value employer-provided health plans starting in 2022. Based on what you know, do you support or oppose the Cadillac Tax?


46%

46%

45%

34%

48%

53%

45%

42%

43%

53%

42%

48%

55%

TotalOppose

3 1

Income: $100k+

Income: $50k-100k

Income: Under $50k

S L I D E /

While almost 2 in 5 adults say they would be more likely to vote for their member of Congress in the next election if he or she votes to postpone the Cadillac Tax beyond 2022, 1 in 4 say it would have no impact on their vote.

Cadillac Tax

If your member of Congress voted to postpone the Cadillac Tax beyond 2022, would you be more or less likely to vote for him or her in their next election?

H E A L T H C A R E

A F F O R D A B I L I T Y

P O L L I N G

3 2

25%

7%6%

17%

20%

25%

Much morelikely

Somewhat morelikely


Somewhat lesslikely

Much lesslikely

Don't know

37%More likely

13%Less likely

S L I D E /

24%

27%

24%

26%

25%

25%

28%

29%

22%

18%

22%

28%

25%

16% 27% 7% 5% 20%

18% 20% 8% 6% 20%

17% 18% 7% 6% 28%

19% 23% 6% 6% 21%

13% 18% 8% 6% 29%

19% 20% 7% 6% 24%

18% 17% 7% 6% 23%

17% 22% 6% 5% 21%

16% 22% 8% 6% 25%

17% 18% 6% 8% 34%

16% 20% 6% 5% 31%

19% 20% 8% 7% 18%

17% 20% 7% 6% 25%

Income: $100k+

Income: $50k-100k

Income: Under $50k

PID: Rep (no lean)

PID: Ind (no lean)

PID: Dem (no lean)

Age: 65+

Age: 45-64

Age: 30-44

Age: 18-29

Gender: Female

Gender: Male

Adults



Somewhat lesslikely


A plurality of Democrats and Republicans report being more likely to vote for their member of Congress if he or she votes to postpone the Cadillac Tax beyond 2022.

Cadillac Tax

If your member of Congress voted to postpone the Cadillac Tax beyond 2022, would you be more or less likely to vote for him or her in their next election?


37%

39%

36%

35%

39%

39%

35%

39%

31%

42%

35%

38%

43%

TotalMore Likely

3 3

health care affordability polling - morning consult · 7 in 10 adults say health care, the economy,...

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