In a recent Forbes column, I predicted that Biden’s first term in office would end with American healthcare policy looking almost exactly as it did when Obama’s second term ended eight years ago. Last month, I asked the readers of this newsletter to share their predictions for healthcare policy under Joe Biden. Here are the results:
Analysis: Over the years, readers of Monthly Musings On American Healthcare have demonstrated knowledge of both healthcare and politics.
Some may wonder how 19% of respondents could think the U.S. would somehow fail to get the coronavirus pandemic under control by 2024. After all, we already have one FDA-approved vaccine. I suspect the “nay” voters understand that viruses can mutate, that vaccine-induced immunity can lapse, and that even the best-laid plans can go awry.
Readers also seem well aware that Obamacare is unlikely to be ruled unconstitutional, despite a 6-3 conservative majority in the Supreme Court. And though many seem confident that the Court will uphold a woman’s right to choose, the future of the law seems more tenuous than the votes in this survey might indicate. Even if the court doesn’t invalidate Roe v. Wade, it could narrow the scope of the law.
Two-thirds of voters in this survey doubt that drug costs will be lower come 2024. They are likely aware that Democrats and Republicans have voted to preserve pharmaceutical company protections year after year, despite the high prices and pain inflicted on families. That is unlikely to change under the new president.
Finally, although many Musings readers have expressed their preference for ‘Medicare for all’ in past surveys, 99% understand the legislative impossibility of it amid a split Congress and a lagging economy. Perhaps that explains the 50-50 vote for a public option—something that likely hinges on the outcome of the Senate runoff in Georgia.
Thanks to those who participated. To to take future surveys, and to access timely news and opinion on American healthcare, sign up for my free (and ad-free) newsletter Monthly Musings on American Healthcare.
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Dr. Robert Pearl is the former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group, the nation’s largest physician group. He’s the bestselling author of “Mistreated: Why We Think We’re Getting Good Health Care–And Why We’re Usually Wrong” and a Stanford University professor. Follow him on Twitter @RobertPearlMD.
Government should be allowed to use quality discounts to purchase generic drugs