A combined 70% percent of Americans have a negative outlook on the nation’s health care system as Congress remains in deadlock over the issue, according to a new Gallup poll released Monday.
The survey’s participants had varying degrees of stress toward health care costs and access, with 23% claiming the system is in a “state of crisis” and 47% saying the system has “major problems” — adding to a total 70%. The heightened concerns come as lawmakers on Capitol Hill scramble to find a solution, with the boosted subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, set to expire on Dec. 31.
Twenty-nine percent of voters, one of the highest figures recorded since 1987, find the cost of health care to be the country’s most urgent health problem — ahead of health care access and obesity.
Eighty-one percent of Democrats and 64% of Republicans agreed the country’s health care system is in crisis or has “major problems,” according to the poll. Concerns increased 12% among Democrats this year, and 10% among Republicans during the same time.
If Congress does not act and the ACA health insurance subsidies expire, the average premium would more than double, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The House of Representatives will vote this week on their newly released Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, a policy proposal does not extend ACA subsidies — a factor that could prove to be a sticking point for many moderates in the House.
“House Republicans are tackling the real drivers of health care costs to provide affordable care, increase access and choice, and restore integrity to our nation’s health care system for all Americans,” Speaker Mike Johnson said in a press release. “Republicans are offering clear, responsible alternatives that will lower premium costs and increase access and health care options for all Americans.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Friday slammed the GOP proposal for neglecting efforts to reach bipartisan support, and claimed he would vote “no” on the bill.
House Democrats, however, have offered a three-year extension of the ACA enhanced tax credits, but it’s unclear if the proposal will see any movement as it requires four more signatures in order to be brought to the House floor for a vote.
The survey also found a record low 16% of participants said they are satisfied with the total cost of U.S. health care, and 57% were only satisfied with their personal cost for their plan. Steep divides like this are driven by what Americans hear about health care in the news, according to The Washington Post.
Gallup’s poll surveyed about 1,300 adults from Nov. 3 to 25. The margin of error is plus or minus three percent.
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