Most Americans say middlemen – including health insurance companies and the government – make health care more expensive and most agree that a reform strategy of “eliminating the middlemen” would make health care and prescription drugs more affordable and improve access.
WHY IT MATTERS
The findings reinforce previous work done on support for policies to protect seniors from government health care rationing and make prescription drugs more affordable.
HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION
The theme of eliminating the middleman can be used as simple explanation for many free-market health care policies such as reform of pharmacy benefit managers and prioritizing approval of generic drugs at the FDA.
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Nearly 3-in-4 Say Middlemen Make Things More Expensive
- 73% say middlemen make goods and services more expensive and 75% say it is cheaper to buy things direct from the manufacturer than from a middleman.
- There is little ideological or partisan difference in results, but blacks and younger Americans less likely to say middlemen make goods and services more expensive.
Eliminating the Middleman in Health Care
- 78% believe a health reform strategy of “eliminating the middleman” would make health care more affordable.
- 79% believe it would make prescription drugs more affordable.
- 72% believe it would make getting the care you need simpler.
- 71% believe it would eliminate waste and fraud in health care.
- 73% believe it would help more people get the care they need when they need it.
- There was little significant partisan or ideological difference in these beliefs.
Insurance Company Middlemen
- 79% agree that health insurance companies are middlemen between patients and doctors and 60% agree they make health care more expensive.
- This belief is similar among Republicans, independents, and Democrats, as well as New Majority and Left Minority voters.
Pharmacy Benefit Manager Middlemen
- 71% agree that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are middlemen between patients and doctors and 49% agree they make health care more expensive.
- Independents and New Majority voters planning to vote Democrat in 2024 are more likely to believe PBMs are middlemen.
Government Middlemen
- 65% agree the government is a middleman between patients and doctors and 49% agree it makes health care more expensive.
- Republicans are more likely to believe the governments is a middleman, with 64% saying the government makes health care more expensive.
- Democrats are less likely to say the government is a middleman, with just 36% saying government makes health care more expensive.