Voters Reveal Their Healthcare Priorities for the Next President in New eHealth Report

Rhea-AI Summary

eHealth's new report reveals 88% of Americans are shocked by healthcare cost increases over the past four years. The survey of 1,000+ respondents identified top healthcare priorities for the next president: ensuring Medicare sustainability (59%), addressing medical care costs (57%), and tackling prescription drug prices (50%). These concerns transcend party lines, with similar percentages among Democrats and Republicans.

Surprisingly, a majority of respondents from both parties were open to repealing the Affordable Care Act and implementing a single, government-run healthcare system. eHealth CEO Fran Soistman emphasized that the healthcare cost crisis is a fundamental issue impacting Americans' financial well-being, suggesting it could be a important factor in the upcoming presidential election.

Positive

• eHealth's survey provides valuable insights into voter healthcare priorities for the 2024 presidential election
• The report highlights bipartisan concern over rising healthcare costs, potentially guiding political campaigns

Negative

• The survey reveals widespread dissatisfaction with current healthcare cost trends, which could impact eHealth's business model
• Openness to repealing the ACA and implementing a single-payer system could pose risks to eHealth's current market position

Insights

Market Research Analyst

This survey reveals important insights into voter priorities that could significantly impact healthcare policy and the insurance sector. 88% of respondents expressing shock at healthcare cost increases signals a potential demand for reform, which could reshape the insurance landscape. The bipartisan concern over Medicare sustainability (59%) and medical care costs (57%) suggests these issues may dominate policy discussions, potentially leading to regulatory changes affecting insurers and healthcare providers.

The surprising openness to repealing the ACA and considering a single-payer system, even among Republicans, indicates a potential shift in the healthcare market structure. This could have far-reaching implications for private insurers like eHealth. However, it's important to note that survey responses don't always translate directly to voting behavior or policy outcomes. Investors should monitor how candidates address these concerns in their campaigns, as it may signal future policy directions impacting the healthcare and insurance sectors.

Financial Analyst

While this survey doesn't provide direct financial metrics, it offers valuable insights into consumer sentiment that could impact eHealth's business model. The widespread concern over healthcare costs (88% shocked by increases) could drive more consumers to seek cost-effective insurance options, potentially benefiting eHealth's marketplace. However, the openness to a single-payer system poses a long-term risk to private insurance marketplaces.

The focus on Medicare sustainability (59%) and prescription drug costs (50%) could lead to policy changes affecting Medicare Advantage plans and drug coverage, key areas for many insurance marketplaces. eHealth's positioning as a provider of consumer insights could enhance its value to insurers and policymakers, potentially opening new revenue streams. Investors should consider how eHealth might adapt its business model to align with evolving consumer preferences and potential policy shifts in the healthcare insurance landscape.

88% are "shocked" by how much their healthcare costs have increased in the past four years

Respondents say next president should focus on Medicare sustainability and address medical and prescription drug costs

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With the presidential election less than two months away, new research published today by eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) (eHealth.com), a leading private online health insurance marketplace, shows that Republicans and Democrats are united in their growing alarm at the rising cost of healthcare and are looking to the next president to address it.

In a general population survey of more than 1,000 Americans, 88% (including 88% of Democrats and 89% of Republicans) say they are "shocked" by how much their healthcare costs have increased over the past four years. When asked to name the top three healthcare priorities for the next president, respondents chose:

• Ensuring the sustainability of Medicare (cited by 59% overall, including 65% of Democrat voters and 55% of Republican voters)
• Addressing the cost of medical care generally (cited by 57% overall, including 59% of both Democrat and Republican voters)
• Addressing the cost of prescription drugs specifically (cited by 50% overall, including 49% of Democrat voters and 54% of Republican voters)

Political hot topics like abortion access and vaccine safety ranked much lower (cited by 28% and 9% respectively).

Read the full report.

"I believe the insights from our survey can offer valuable guidance to candidates in this fall's elections," said eHealth CEO Fran Soistman. "The healthcare cost crisis cannot be ignored—it's a fundamental issue impacting the financial well-being of a vast majority of the American electorate. This concern transcends the usual partisan divides, resonating more broadly than many healthcare topics that often dominate the headlines. Consumers are shouldering greater out-of-pocket costs through high deductibles, co-insurance, and co-pays, all of which spotlight the true cost of medical care."

eHealth found that a majority of respondents, from both political parties, were open to the idea of repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and instituting a single, government-run healthcare system for all Americans.

"We were particularly surprised by these findings," said Mr. Soistman. "It's possible that long-standing frustration with rising healthcare costs is opening more voters to new ideas. However, it's important to note that our survey was not intended to propose an alternative to the ACA or outline what a single-payer system might look like."

The findings described in eHealth's report are intended to shed light on consumer sentiments relevant to the 2024 presidential election and should not be read as an endorsement of any specific candidate or policy position.

eHealth's report is based on a nationwide general population survey conducted through a third-party survey tool in late August 2024. A total of 1,054 responses were collected. For more methodology information, please refer to the report.

About eHealth (NASDAQ: EHTH) 
We're Matchmakers. For over 25 years, eHealth has helped millions of Americans find the healthcare coverage that fits their needs at a price they can afford. As a leading independent licensed insurance agency and advisor, eHealth offers access to over 180 health insurers, including national and regional companies. 

For more information about eHealth, visit ehealth.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Open positions can be found on our career page.  

Media inquiries: pr@ehealth.com 

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SOURCE eHealth, Inc.

FAQ

What percentage of Americans are shocked by healthcare cost increases according to eHealth's survey?

According to eHealth's survey, 88% of Americans, including 88% of Democrats and 89% of Republicans, are shocked by how much their healthcare costs have increased over the past four years.

What are the top three healthcare priorities for the next president identified in eHealth's (EHTH) report?

The top three healthcare priorities identified in eHealth's report are: 1) Ensuring the sustainability of Medicare (59%), 2) Addressing the cost of medical care generally (57%), and 3) Addressing the cost of prescription drugs specifically (50%).

How do eHealth's (EHTH) survey findings relate to the 2024 presidential election?

eHealth's survey findings highlight healthcare cost concerns as a important issue for voters in the 2024 presidential election, transcending party lines and potentially influencing campaign strategies and voter decisions.

What surprising finding did eHealth's (EHTH) survey reveal about the Affordable Care Act?

eHealth's survey surprisingly found that a majority of respondents from both political parties were open to the idea of repealing the Affordable Care Act and instituting a single, government-run healthcare system for all Americans.