As we know, Trump supporters, like most Americans want to see lower prices on basic necessities, like gas and eggs. They also want to see lower health care costs, reports Noam Levey for NPR.
What could Trump do? He could lower the out-of-pocket maximum on health care costs for working people. But, that would also likely drive up people’s premiums. And, the Republicans opposed the new $2,000 a year maximum on outpatient prescription drug costs for people with Medicare.
But, the polls indicate that, unlike 10 or 15 years ago, a lot of Trump supporters now want more government involvement to rein in health care costs. People recognize that the “free market” for health care is not their friend. People no longer think that government should stay away.
In fact, Republicans want the government to step in and limit drug prices and hospital charges. They also want the government to regulate and restrict health care providers from going after medical debt according to recent polls. More than eight in ten support a $2,300 annual cap on medical debt collection.
Republicans still don’t support Medicare for all. In fact, that would do most to lower their health care costs and ensure they received the health care they needed. One size fits all means that it works for everyone. Other options will not work for people in some or more instances, and there’s no telling when you buy insurance whether that restriced insurance coverage will work for you over time.
Republicans also overall support Medicaid. Medicaid is especially critical for lower and middle income older adults who need long-term nursing home care. Yet, the House Budget resolution puts in place a plan that will likely slash Medicaid spending and with it push many people off Medicaid.
Today, Republicans more often hold corporate health insurers, pharmaceutical companies and hospitals responsible for high costs than the government. They see the greed and profiteering in our corporate health care system.
One poll shows that 75 percent of people who voted for Trump want the government to limit hospital charges. They also want the Trump administration to do more Medicare drug price negotiation, not less.
Right now, Republicans in Congress are not focused on any of their supporters’ cost-cutting health care priorities. They are poised to slash Medicaid and end subsidies for plans in the state health insurance exchanges, both of which will drive up health care costs for millions.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Why can’t people know their health care costs before receiving care?
- What will happen to ACA subsidies in 2025?
- How to avoid overpaying for your prescription drugs
- Older adults owe $54 billion in medical debt
- Hospitals overbill Medicare, driving up costs for everyone
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