New KFF Poll: Unsustainable drug pricing moves ahead of ACA as GOP voters’ top health care concern

PRESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release
August 20, 2015

Contact:
John Rother
[email protected]

New KFF Poll: Unsustainable drug pricing moves ahead of ACA as GOP voters’ top health care concern

A new poll released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds overwhelming bipartisan majorities of voters are concerned about the challenges to affordability for consumers posed by astronomical prescription drug prices. The poll finds Republican voters view unsustainable drug pricing as the top health care priority that policymakers should address, surpassing repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Overall, nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of American voters say the cost of prescription medications is unreasonably high, a bipartisan consensus.

In response to the Kaiser Tracking Poll, John Rother, president of the National Coalition on Health Care and leader of the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing, issued the following statement:

“The majority of the American public – both Republicans and Democrats – are clearly concerned about the issue of soaring prescription drug costs. The pharmaceutical industry’s current pricing strategy is simply unjustifiable and threatens the sustainability of our health care system and our economy.  The American people have simply had enough; and what these findings prove is that soaring drug prices are such a serious problem that addressing them is more important to Republican voters than repealing the Affordable Care Act. To ensure that consumers have peace of mind when it comes to their health and the future of our country, it is crucial that the 2016 presidential candidates address this undeniable concern.”