A new Public Policy Polling survey finds that an overwhelming majority (72%) of Americans say it’s either the most important or a very important thing that the next Congressional action responding to the coronavirus pandemic include major new steps on health care. A majority (64%) are more worried about their and their family’s health during the coronavirus pandemic than their financial situation (28%). 

There is widespread support for key actions on health care in the Coronavirus package: 

  • 80%, including 84% of independents and 70% of Republicans, support reforming the health care system to increase financial assistance for those who need it the most and make sure no American spends more than 10% of their income on health insurance. 
  • 79% support expanding Medicaid so more low and moderate income Americans can qualify and get treated for coronavirus and other health care needs. This is also popular among independents (83%) and Republicans (65%). 
  • 79% support Congress requiring that testing and care reach communities of color, who are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus, and that their health disparities are addressed. This includes 80% of independents and 63% of Republicans voters. 
  • 76%, including 72% of independents and 67% of Republicans, support a special  enrollment period to allow uninsured Americans to sign up for affordable coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 
  • 76% support letting young adults remain on their parents’ health insurance plan past the age of 26 during the pandemic, given the difficult job market. This includes 76% of independents and 64% of Republicans. 

The Affordable Care Act remains popular with voters. Only 29% of voters support the Trump administration lawsuit to strike down the ACA. 

Actions aimed at increasing testing capacity and providing PPE to health care workers are also very popular. A large majority (95%) support Congress acting to ensure health care workers like doctors and nurses have the masks and gowns they need to stay safe, and that the administration has a plan to distribute them. Another 88% support Congress acting to fund sufficient testing capacity, production, and deployment for coronavirus tests. 

On officials’ responses to the pandemic, a majority of Americans (54%) trust their state and local governments more to handle the crisis, while just 33% say they trust the federal government led by President Trump more to handle the crisis. 

  • President Trump’s approval on health care is underwater by 10 points among American voters (51-41). Among independents, the margin is even wider: 62% disapprove of the job he’s doing on health care, while just 31% approve.
  • A majority (53%) overall think President Trump has done a bad job ensuring that enough coronavirus tests are available. Among independents, 60% think he’s done a bad job. Meanwhile, just 39% think the President has done a good job ensuring availability of tests.

Public Policy Polling surveyed 1,403 national registered voters from April 23-24, 2020 on behalf of Protect Our Care. The margin of error is +/- 2.6%. 50% of interviews for the survey were conducted by telephone and 50% by text message.