August 09, 2021

Alliance Poll: Seniors Would Cross Party Lines to Vote for Candidates Who Support Medicare Drug Price Negotiation

More than 70 percent of voters over age 65 say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who favors allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug corporations to lower prescription drug prices, including strong majorities across party lines, according to a poll released Tuesday by the Alliance.

An 87% majority of voters over age 65 favor allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, including 48% who are strongly in favor. Among Democratic seniors, 89% are in favor, as are 87% of Republican seniors and 81% of independent seniors. Voters over the age of 65 in rural areas (84%) favor the proposal with strong intensity as well. The poll was conducted by Lake Research Partners.

“The findings have major implications for both Democrats and Republicans in the 2022 midterm elections,” said Executive Director Fiesta. “Americans pay the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs, and they want lawmakers to take action now to lower the amount they pay at the pharmacy counter. This poll confirms that high drug prices are a top-of-mind issue for seniors when making voting decisions.”

Voters over the age of 65 are the most consistent voters, especially in midterm elections. In both 2020 and 2018 more than a quarter of all votes cast were by people over the age of 65. In the 2018 midterm elections, 66% of all registered seniors turned out to vote, and in 2020 senior turnout was 74.5%, the highest percentages of any age group.

“The 2022 midterm electorate will have an outsized senior vote. This poll highlights a risk and an opportunity for elected officials and candidates,” Fiesta continued. “Even in today’s polarized political environment, a significant percentage of senior voters of both parties would cross party lines over this issue.”

Read the full Alliance statement here.