2020 US Elections: Significance of Healthcare in Voters' Decisions
Fired-Up, Fair, and Unfiltered: Healthcare Tops Election Agenda - Sorta
America's healthcare system is a burning issue for voters, regardless of political affiliation. But as the U.S. presidential elections heat up, priorities are shifting. In this report, we dig into the latest KFF Health Tracking Poll insides and let you know what's ticking the voter boxes this time around.
Back in February, a Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) poll revealed that a whopping 26% of respondents prioritized healthcare over the economy for electing a president. Other surveys echoed the sentiment, with domestic policy centered around healthcare costs.
Fast forward to September 2020, and the picture is drastically different. The KFF Health Tracking Poll shows that healthcare, once front and center, now lags behind. Instead, the economy (32%), COVID-19 (20%), criminal justice and policing (16%), and race relations (14%) are taking center stage.
It's the economy, stupid! But here's the catch - the economy and healthcare are closely linked, with the pandemic directly affecting employment and, in turn, financial wellbeing.
So, what do American voters care about when it comes to healthcare? Four key issues stand out:
- Increasing access to health insurance coverage, like universal coverage (18%)
- The cost and affordability of healthcare, including prescription drugs (15%)
- COVID-19 (8%)
- "Medicare or senior concerns" (7%)
Interestingly, issues like the Affordable Care Act seem less appealing this time around. Only 5% of Republican voters desire to oppose or remove the ACA as a top healthcare issue, a stark contrast to their stance in the 2016 presidential election.
Swing Voters' Shifts
As of the KFF poll, 35% of voters are likely to vote for President Trump, while 38% are swaying towards Joe Biden. However, a remarkable 24% of registered voters are undecided, and their priorities are just as important. Among these swing voters, healthcare is no longer a top priority.
In contrast to February, when healthcare topped the list for 28% of swing voters, this time around only 15% rank it as a priority, with the economy leading the race.
Party Lines Drawn
As always, parties have their distinct preferences. Republicans prioritize the economy and criminal justice and policing, while Democrats focus on ending the pandemic and race relations.
Republicans are overwhelmingly concerned about the economy, with 53% prioritizing it for president. Meanwhile, 36% of Democrats are fixated on the coronavirus pandemic, and 27% on race relations.
Vaccine Hesitancy and Pandemic Fatigue
Despite the CDC urging states to prepare for a vaccine distribution as early as November 1, just two days before the election, a staggering 81% of voters are skeptical about the timeline. Specifically, 62% of voters worry that political pressure from the current administration will cause the FDA to rush an inadequately tested vaccine.
At the same time, public trust in the CDC and Dr. Anthony Fauci has declined since April, with a 16% drop in overall trust reported in the KFF survey. Republicans showed the steepest decline in trust for Dr. Fauci.
The 'Race' to the Finish Line
It's important to note that the KFF poll was conducted right after the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The poll found that race relations (27%) and criminal justice and policing (17%) are significant issues for Democrats, while 23% of Republicans focus on criminal justice and policing.
In conclusion, the latest KFF Health Tracking Poll reveals a marked shift in American voters' priorities. Healthcare has dropped from the top spot, replaced by the economy, the pandemic, criminal justice, and policing, and race relations. However, healthcare concerns remain firmly rooted in voters' minds, particularly issues like access, cost, and the ongoing pandemic. Stay informed, and remember to get your vote on. Let's shape the future of America's healthcare system!
- Beyond healthcare, science, particularly in the context of COVID-19, is a growing concern for voters.
- In the realm of health and wellness, managing healthcare costs and affordability, including prescription drugs, is a significant issue.
- Education and self-development have taken a back seat in comparison to medical-conditions and health-related concerns.
- Personal growth and career development are not currently top priorities for most voters, as they focus on healthcare issues.
- The ongoing concern about healthcare extends to issues related to car accidents, as the affordability of medical care post-accident is a concern.
- Interestingly, political discussions about politics, job-search, and general news are secondary to health-related concerns in the current elections.
- However, crime and justice, encompassing accidents, fires, and other criminal activities, is a pressing concern for many voters.
- Learning, skills-training, and sports, such as football, NFL, sports-betting, and American football, have become lesser concerns compared to healthcare and other pressing issues.
- Weather and weather forecasting, while important for daily life, are not primary concerns for voters when considering healthcare and other matters.
- In NCAA football, the ongoing health and safety protocols related to the coronavirus pandemic are a concern for players, coaches, and fans alike.
- While healthcare is no longer the top priority among swing voters, it remains an important issue in the realm of health and wellness for them as well.
- Voters from both major parties prioritize certain issues, with democrats focusing on healthcare costs, the ongoing pandemic, and race relations, and Republicans prioritizing the economy, criminal justice, and policing.
- The public's trust in healthcare officials, like the CDC and Dr. Anthony Fauci, has fluctuated during the pandemic, especially among Republicans, which could impact healthcare-related voting decisions.
