WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oct. 9, 2024 – Though in this year's presidential election healthcare has seemingly taken a back to other issues including the economy and democracy, nearly eight in 10 registered voters still say the issue that has been critical in nearly every presidential campaign in modern history, remains extremely (37%) or very important (42%) to whom they cast their vote, according to a new a West Health-Gallup poll of voters. This sentiment is consistent with what's been expressed in most previous elections, although slightly more voters in 2000 and 2012 rated the issue as being extremely important.
West Health and Gallup partnered to measure the potential impact of healthcare as a voting issue in the 2024 election. The findings are part of Gallup's broader research into election issues measured in a September 16-28 poll of U.S. registered voters. In the survey, terrorism, national security, the Supreme Court, immigration and education ranked similar in importance to healthcare but also behind the economy and democracy.
"Healthcare so far has been one of those important but sleeper issues in this election, but one that needs a serious reckoning," said Tim Lash, President, West Health Policy Center, a nonprofit organization focused on healthcare and aging. "Politicians, policy makers and elected officials who ignore or downplay the issues of healthcare affordability, prescription drug pricing, access and equity do so at the risk of their campaigns, but more importantly at the risk of the general public."
Democrats are more likely than Republicans and independents to view healthcare in higher importance, with 90% saying it is extremely (45%) or very (45%) important to their vote. This compares to 72% of Republicans who rank healthcare an important issue, but a third (34%) of these registered voters, also found healthcare extremely important to them. The issue is even more so for independents, 77% deeming it important and a third of these voters also indicate its extremely important.
