Survey Says: Americans 65+ Disapprove of President Trump’s Rebate Rule

In a recent survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the Coalition for Medicare Choices, we asked voters 65+ who are covered by Medicare their opinions on President Trump’s rebate rule Executive Order. Experts from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services previously found the rebate rule would increase Medicare drug coverage premiums for all seniors by 25% and give Big Pharma another $100 billion bailout. Americans 65+ agree: if implemented, the rebate rule will make health care services harder to afford and decrease their support for the President.

Nearly 80% of voters over 65 on Medicare think pharmaceutical companies are most responsible for the rising price of prescription drugs – including an equal amount of Democrats (80%) and Republicans (79%).

Further, after learning that the cost of their Medicare premiums could increase 25% if the rebate rule was implemented, 80% of voters over 65 on Medicare, including a bipartisan majority, say this would have an impact on their ability to afford health care and other necessary expenses.

40% of voters in presidential swing states (AZ, FL, MI, PA, WI) said they disapprove of President Trump’s rebate rule, and nearly 50% would be less likely to support President Trump in the 2020 election if the rule was implemented.

In the same survey, a strong majority (88%) of senior voters on Medicare reported being satisfied with their current Medicare coverage, and nearly 100% said the cost of their monthly premiums and prescription drug coverage are important to them when thinking about their Medicare coverage. Among those covered by Medicare Advantage, 92% are satisfied with their coverage.

The rebate rule is the wrong approach to lowering out-of-control drug prices and would actually harm the very group it’s designed to help: Americans 65+. If implemented, the rebate rule could raise Medicare drug coverage and Medicare Advantage premiums – forcing Americans 65+ and people with disabilities to pay more so Big Pharma can make more in profit. Americans 65 + deserve better services, better access to care, and better value.

Click here to download the survey results memo