As the 2024 presidential election draws near, healthcare remains a top concern for many voters. A recent poll by West Health and Gallup surveyed over 3,600 Americans to understand which healthcare issues are most important to them.
The poll results reveal that many feel healthcare isn’t receiving enough attention in the current election.
What Are the Most Important Healthcare Issues for Voters?
The survey found that two key issues dominate voters’ concerns: 
- Protecting Medicare and Social Security: Nearly two-thirds of Americans indicated that a candidate’s position on protecting Medicare and Social Security is among the most important factors influencing their vote.
This issue is especially important for older voters, with those aged 65 or older prioritizing Medicare and Social Security more than younger Americans. - Lowering Healthcare Costs: Over half of voters said a candidate’s stance on reducing healthcare costs is one of the most important factors influencing their decision.
Interestingly, younger and older voters showed similar levels of concern about healthcare costs and mental health policies, suggesting that these issues resonate broadly across age groups.
Party Differences in Healthcare Priorities
Healthcare-related concerns also differ significantly by political affiliation:
- Democrats: More likely to rank all four healthcare-related issues—Medicare protection, Social Security, lowering drug costs, and improving healthcare access—as among their top concerns.
- Republicans and Independents: While healthcare is important across party lines, there are differences in priority.
A majority of voters across all political parties agree on the importance of protecting Medicare and Social Security, but the candidate they trust to handle these issues often depends on party affiliation.
Who Do Voters Trust to Handle Healthcare Issues?
When asked which presidential candidate they trust more on healthcare matters, the results fell along predictable party lines:
- Republicans: Trust former President Donald Trump more on healthcare issues.
- Democrats: Trust Vice President Kamala Harris to handle healthcare, especially in areas like expanding access to care and strengthening Medicare.
- Independents: Slightly favor Harris over Trump, particularly on topics like improving access to healthcare and insurance coverage.
However, a significant portion of independents indicated that they don’t trust either candidate to effectively address healthcare concerns.
Healthcare: An Underappreciated Issue in the Election
A striking result from the poll was that two-thirds of Americans feel that healthcare isn’t getting enough attention during the current campaign season.
Many voters, especially those aged 65 and older, see healthcare as an issue that can directly impact their quality of life.
This sentiment underscores the need for candidates to address healthcare more comprehensively in their campaigns.
Healthcare remains a deeply personal issue for millions of Americans, affecting everything from financial stability to quality of life.
As we approach the 2024 election, it’s crucial for candidates to focus on policies that ensure affordable and accessible healthcare for everyone.
