Health Care Proposals Devastating to American Families & Aging Population

Health Care Proposals Are Deeply Unpopular Among Colorado’s Largest Voting Block

Large Majorities of Older Voters Across Party Lines Oppose the Age Tax, Removal of Pre-existing Condition Protections, Medicare and Medicaid Cuts

AARP Colorado today released new survey data highlighting the deep divide between Americans and Washington politicians over health care policies important to older Americans.

Photo: Latin Life Denver Media

Photo: Latin Life Denver Media

“Health care is a deeply personal issue that has a real and immediate impact on American families across the political spectrum. These survey findings are very clear – people don’t support legislation that would mean higher costs and less coverage for older Americans,” said AARP Colorado State Director Bob Murphy. “AARP urges Senator Cory Gardner to oppose any bill that would raise premiums, price people with pre-existing conditions out of coverage, weaken Medicare and make cuts to Medicaid that would reduce services for those most in need.”

 

More details from the survey are below:

  • The Age Tax: 91 percent of Colorado voters age 50-plus oppose charging older Americans five times more than others for their healthcare plan while just 7 percent support the drastic cost increase. The proportion of age 50-plus voters who oppose the age tax includes 86 percent of Republicans, 90 percent of Independents, and 96 percent of Democrats.
  • Medicare Cuts: 87 percent of Colorado voters age 50-plus oppose cutting funding for Medicare and increasing premiums for current and future seniors, while just 11 percent support the harmful cuts. The proportion of age 50-plus voters who oppose Medicare cuts includes 78 percent of Republicans, 87 percent of Independents, and 95 percent of Democrats.
  • Removal of Pre-existing Condition Protections: 81 percent of Colorado voters age 50-plus oppose charging people with pre-existing conditions more for their coverage, while just 16 percent support doing so. The proportion of age 50-plus voters who oppose removal of this protection includes 75 percent of Republicans, 77 percent of Independents, and 92 percent of Democrats.
  • Tax Breaks for Big Drug and Insurance Companies: 82 percent of Colorado voters age 50-plus oppose providing tax breaks for insurance and drug companies, while just 11 percent support such breaks. The proportion of age 50-plus voters who oppose tax breaks for big drug and insurance companies includes 75 percent of Republicans, 80 percent of Independents, and 93 percent of Democrats.
  • Medicaid Funding Cuts: 81 percent of Colorado voters age 50-plus oppose cutting funding for Medicaid, while just 16 percent support the harmful cuts. The proportion of age 50-plus voters who oppose Medicaid cuts includes 70 percent of Republicans, 80 percent of Independents, and 91 percent of Democrats.
Photo by Latin Life Denver Media

Photo by Latin Life Denver Media

Methodology: AARP commissioned a telephone survey among 601 likely voters age 50-plus in Colorado The sample utilized an age-targeted registered voter landline and cell phone list who were contacted between June 2 and June 13, 2017. The data were weighted by age, gender, race/ethnicity and geographic region and are generalizable to registered voters in Colorado age 50-plus. The survey has a margin of sampling error of ±4 percent. The survey annotation will be made available at www.aarp.org/2017healthcaresurvey.

2017 AARP Coloradodo Health Care Survey: Little Support for the Proposed Health Care Bill Just three in ten likely voters in Colorado (30%) support the American Health Care Act, which recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is currently being debated in the Senate (11% Dem, 60% Rep, 23% Ind).

A sizeable number of likely voters (11%) say they do not know whether they support or oppose the bill (5% Dem, 13% Rep, 15% Ind). A majority of likely voters also oppose the various policies included in the bill (see Figure below).

Registered Voters Percent oppose Republicans Democrats Independents Charging adults age 50+ five times more than other people for their healthcare plan 86% 96% 90% Cutting funding for Medicaid, which pays for services to help seniors live independently 70% 91% 80% Cutting funding for Medicare and increasing premiums for current and future seniors 78% 95% 87% Charging people with pre-existing conditions more for their coverage 75% 92% 77% Providing tax breaks for insurance and drug companies 75% 93% 80% 7% 16% 11% 16% 11% 91% 81% 87% 81% 82% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Charging 50+ adults 5x’s more for their healthcare plan Cutting funding for Medicaid that helps seniors live independently Cutting funding for Medicare & increasing premiums Charging people with pre-existing conditions more Providing tax breaks for insurance and drug companies Support and Opposition for Policies in AHCA Support Oppose 2017 AARP Colorado Health Care Survey 

There is also little appetite for reducing federal funding for Medicaid. Most Colorado likely voters (75%) believe funding for Medicaid should remain the same and not be cut (91% Dem, 63% Rep, 72% Ind).  Most voters (85%) agree older people already pay three times more for health insurance than other people and increasing it to five times more would make insurance unaffordable (91% Dem, 83% Rep, 83% Ind). 

Health care is clearly a top priority for Colorado likely voters. When asked what Congress’ top priority should be, more than four in ten (41%) say it should be heath care. This is double the number who say it should be terrorisim/national security or the economy/jobs.

Methodology: AARP commissioned a telephone survey among 601 likely voters age 50+ in Colorado to gauge public opinion on the proposed health care bill and the various policies included in the plan. The sample utilized an age-targeted registered voter landline and cell phone list. This report highlights results from residents interviewed from June 2 through June 13, 2017. The data was weighted by age, gender, race/ethnicity and geographic region and is generalizeable to registered voters in Colorado age 50+.

The survey has a margin of sampling error of ±4 percent. The survey annotation will be made available at www.aarp.org/2017healthcaresurvey AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment.

AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media. For media inquries, please contact Angela Cortez at: 303.764.5988. or e-mail acortez@aarp.or

About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

 

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