Protect Our Care: New Polls in Arizona and West Virginia Show Voters Want Swift Action on Build Back Better Plans to Lower Health Care and Prescription Costs and Expand Medicaid

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 -- Protect Our Care issued the following news:

New polls conducted by Public Policy Polling (PPP) on behalf of Protect Our Care show that voters in Arizona and West Virginia strongly support lowering health insurance premiums and giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, key elements of President Biden's Build Back Better economic plan. More than 7 in 10 voters in Arizona (73%) and West Virginia (72%) agree that bringing down prescription drug prices and lowering the cost of health insurance premiums would help families combat rising costs and inflation. Arizonans and West Virginians also overwhelmingly support measures to lower health premiums, extend Medicare benefits to seniors, and expand coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap.

Arizona Results: https://www.protectourcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/AZ-PPP-Poll.pdf

West Virginia Results: https://www.protectourcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/WV-PPP-Poll.pdf

In response to the poll's findings, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

"The poll results are the latest proof that voters want action to lower health care costs and prescription drug prices and they want it now. At a time when people are struggling with rising costs and inflation they know that reducing health care costs is a key part of the solution and they want Congress to act."

Key Findings:

* Drug Prices Are Too High. An overwhelming majority of Arizonans (86%) and West Virginians (85%) agree that prescription drug prices are too high in this country.

* Voters Agree: Lower Health Care Costs Would Help Families Like Theirs. 73% and 72% of voters in Arizona and West Virginia, respectively, agree that bringing down prescription drug prices and lowering the cost of health insurance premiums would help families like theirs.

* Strong Support For Medicare Negotiation. A strong majority of Arizonans (74%) and West Virginians (71%) support giving Medicare the power to lower prescription drug prices. There is notable bipartisan support, which includes a majority of Republicans (60% in Arizona, 65% in West Virginia), most independents (79% in Arizona, 65% in West Virginia), and nearly all (85%) Democrats.

* Voters Want Action Now. Most Arizonans (74%) and West Virginians (71%) say it is important that Congress work this year to lower prescription drug prices, give Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, and lower insurance premiums.

* Strong Support For Closing The Medicaid Coverage Gap. Most voters (76% in Arizona, 75% in West Virginia) support closing the Medicaid coverage gap, allowing low- and moderate-income Americans to get health insurance at little or no cost if their state does not offer coverage under Medicaid.

* Bipartisan Support For Lowering Premium Costs. 76% and 71% of voters in Arizona and West Virginia, respectively, support lowering health insurance costs for people who buy insurance on their own by expanding tax credits and subsidies, including 72% and 69% of Arizona and West Virginia independents respectively, and 70% and 65% of Arizona and West Virginia Republicans respectively.