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On February 8, 2024, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing entitled “Artificial Intelligence and Health Care: Promise and Pitfalls.” The hearing focused on the impact of AI in the health care field, particularly the use of AI in federal health care programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, which fall under the committee’s jurisdiction. Senators and witnesses alike acknowledged the potential for AI to have both positive and negative implications for those served by these programs. The hearing also showcased some possible policy solutions for Congress to consider related to issues related to AI, health care, and federal health care programs.
Polls take up a lot of time in the coverage of any given election cycle. These polls often focus on the candidates for office themselves. However, issue-based polling gives insight into what voters care about and teaches candidates what issues to focus on in their campaigns. This blog post will look at 2024 Election Polling related to health care issues.
Specifically, we look at an issue-based poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation conducted between October 31, 2023, and November 7, 2023. Respondents to this poll labeled multiple health care issues as very important for presidential candidates to discuss. However, smaller percentages of respondents ranked these issues as the most important. This blog post explores the poll’s findings about these issues and examines the implications of this poll for the 2024 election.
Voters Want Candidates to talk about Health Care
The KFF poll provides evidence that voters care about health care issues.
- 80% of respondents to the poll said that it is very important for 2024 presidential candidates to talk about the affordability of health care. A February 2024 KFF poll found the same percentage of respondents agreeing that it is very important for 2024 presidential candidates to talk about this issue.
- 75% said it is very important for candidates to discuss the future of Medicare and Medicaid. The February 2024 KFF Poll found 73% of respondents said this is a very important issue for 2024 presidential candidates to talk about.
- 70% said access to mental health care is an issue that is very important for candidates to talk about.
- 64% said prescription drug costs is an issue that is very important for candidates to talk about.
- 53% said the opioid crisis is a very important issue for candidates to talk about.
- 52% said abortion is a very important issue for candidates to talk about. Respondents also identified other health care issues as very important for candidates to talk about, even if smaller percentages of respondents answered in the affirmative.
- 49% said the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a very important issue for candidates to talk about.
- 22% said COVID-10 is a very important issue for candidates to talk about.
But Smaller Percentages of Respondents Pick Health Care Issues as Most Important
The KFF poll also asked respondents to identify their most important issue. Respondents asked to pick a most important issue picked a health care issue at much lower rates than non-health care issues.
- Only 8% of respondents said the affordability of health care is most important.
- 6% said the future of Medicare and Medicaid is most important.
- 4% chose abortion as the most important issue.
- 3% picked access to mental health care as the most important issue. Only 1% selected prescription drug prices, the opioid crisis, or the future of the ACA as the most important issue.
- 0% named COVID-19 as the most important issue.
So What’s the Punchline?
The poll shows evidence that the American people care about health care issues, but when asked to name their most important issue, significantly smaller percentages of respondents choose a health care issue.
What This 2024 Election Polling Mean for Candidates
General topics, such as the affordability of health care and the future of Medicare and Medicaid, outrank more specific health care issues, such as prescription drug costs and access to mental health care. Additionally, campaigns need to remember that the race to the White House occurs at that state level. Campaigns looking to maximize message success can look for ways to personalize their messages to meet the specific constituencies in each state they are competing in. The KFF poll provides guidance on how to do this. For example, The KFF poll shows the future of Medicare and Medicaid is the most important health care issue for registered voters 65 years of age and older. This finding supports spending more time on this issue in states where more registered voters are 65 years or older. This type of analysis is a key step for campaigns wanting to ensure their health care platforms are helping propel them to victory.
Good morning from Washington where sunny skies and warm weather on the way signals positive vibes that a deal might be in the works for a temporary patch to fund the government. Reports over the weekend however made those of us following these developments believe a shutdown might still be in the works. If nothing is accomplished this week, a temporary shutdown would occur at midnight this Friday, followed by a full-scale shutdown on March 8. Procrastination is often a hallmark of Congress, much like my first-grade son getting dressed for school in the morning. Nothing like a good hurry up and wait heading into upcoming negotiations… Welcome to the Week Ahead!
The Administration
President Biden took the lead this weekend to bring House and Senate leaders together for discussions at the White House. The “big four” (Schumer, McConnell, Johnson, and Jeffries) will be meeting on Tuesday to discuss how to fund the government and delay a shutdown. With the State of the Union also on the horizon, it is important the President work with Congress to find a resolution. Concerns from agencies mount, as Congressional Republicans are looking to cut funding across the board like the National Institutes of Health which is looking to face a $3.8 billion cut to their $48 billion in funding the agency received last year. Meanwhile, House Republicans plan to continue to push for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas this week. It is very likely the impeachment proceeding goes nowhere in the Senate as many vulnerable Democrats and conservative senators signaled, as they do not have an appetite to move forward.
The Senate
Senator Schumer sent a Dear Colleague letter blasting House Republicans for not coming to the budget negotiations in earnest. The letter outlines concerns and ramifications as to what will occur if a deal is not struck this week. Concerns include cuts to programs which could impact vulnerable families through the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC), potential shutdowns of veteran offices, as well as a potential FAA freeze which would negatively impact the hiring of air traffic controllers and cause delays in air travel across the country.
Health Care
Right now all eyes remain on whether or not the big four can come to an agreement on funding the government and what impact a partial or full shutdown will cause on a variety of health care programs.
The House
After a week-plus legislative break for the Presidents’ Day district work period, the House returns on Wednesday to consider a slew of bills under suspension of the rules. In a sign of the times, and the struggles facing both chambers, another short-term extension of reauthorization through May 10 was added to the legislative schedule, and arguably, the need for another short-term FAA extension points to the larger challenges facing House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Republicans in coming to an agreement both internally and ultimately with Senate negotiators on legislation to fund the government and on numerous policy provisions that have been connected to the government funding conversations as well.
With the first tranche of funding for four appropriations bills expiring this Friday, March 1, a partial government shutdown is now looking to be a very real possibility. Heading into the weekend, congressional leaders looked poised to release a bipartisan agreement on the first tranche of appropriations bills on Sunday, but ultimately, House and Senate leaders could not come to an agreement as Speaker Johnson continued to face pressures within his own conference—particularly from the Freedom Caucus—over the inclusion of certain policy riders. While this has impact on government appropriations, these struggles also raise questions about what agreement can be reached on various health measures, including several health programs that are set to expire on March 8. Among the expiring provisions are payments under the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) Program, the Work Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI) Floor, and funding for Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THC GME), Community Health Centers (CHCs), and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). In addition, the House Republican Doctors Caucus and physician organizations are continuing their push for relief from the 3.37% cut in Medicare payments that took effect on January 1.
Health Care
With the House not returning for legislative business until Wednesday afternoon, it will be a light week for health policy. Of note, though, the Energy & Commerce will continue to be active on the health care front with the Committee’s Health Subcommittee holding a legislative hearing on Thursday, February 29, titled “Legislative Proposals to Support Patients with Rare Diseases.” The hearing, which is set to set to coincide with the nationally recognized “Rare Disease Day 2024,” will examine 18 bills related to rare diseases and the challenges facing rare disease patients.
As always, we will be in touch with developments. Create a great week!
Medicare beneficiaries are often uninformed on prices, supplemental benefits, and the use of prior authorization in their Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. In a landscape where healthcare decisions can feel opaque, transparency could empower patients in navigating the Medicare Advantage program. New initiatives and regulations by HHS and CMS are working to enhance transparency within Medicare Advantage, creating more informed decision-making and ensuring equitable access.
The Administration’s goal is to provide tools so beneficiaries can make informed choices about their healthcare coverage. By bolstering transparency within the Medicare Advantage program, the Administration aims to address longstanding challenges and equip beneficiaries with the information needed to select plans that align with their healthcare needs and preferences.
At the core of this initiative lies a multifaceted approach designed to enhance transparency across various dimensions of the Medicare Advantage program. Key components of the Administration’s efforts include:
Enhanced Access to Plan Information
The initiative seeks to enable beneficiaries to compare coverage options with greater ease and clarity. By centralizing plan data and making it readily accessible to beneficiaries, the Administration aims to facilitate informed decision-making and empower individuals to select plans that best meet their healthcare needs.
Improved Cost Transparency
By providing beneficiaries with clear and comprehensive information regarding plan costs, including premiums, deductibles, and copayments, the initiative aims to empower individuals to assess the financial implications of their healthcare choices and make informed decisions aligned with their budgetary constraints.
Increased Quality Reporting
Quality of care is a fundamental consideration for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries seeking to maximize the value of their healthcare coverage. By changing the way plans are rated and creating more transparency around key quality metrics, such as clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction ratings, the initiative aims to empower beneficiaries to make informed assessments of plan performance and quality of care delivery.
Accessible Tools and Resources
The Administration’s initiative prioritizes the development of accessible online tools and resources designed to support informed decision-making. From online comparison tools to personalized assistance through the Medicare Plan Finder, these resources are intended to empower beneficiaries with the information and support necessary to navigate the complexities of the Medicare Advantage program effectively.
Conclusion
The Administration’s push for increased transparency within the Medicare Advantage should foster transparency across various dimensions of the program. CMS is laying the groundwork for a more equitable, accessible, and patient-centered healthcare system that prioritizes the needs and preferences of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. Major health plans and coalitions are objecting to many aspects of these proposals, so we will need to continue watching to see which of these proposals actually become finalized.
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