Throughout his presidential campaign and time in office, Joe Biden has made a lot of healthcare promises and outlined a wide variety of healthcare priorities for his administration. Anyone paying even the slightest attention to American politics knows Congress won’t pass all or even most of Biden’s healthcare agenda. This survey asked readers which of the president’s desired healthcare wins should go to the top of his list? Here are the results:
My thoughts: I was surprised the only item to receive more than half of the votes was “lowering drug prices” (69%). I believe this outcome reflects the readership of the newsletter and offers an important insight into healthcare policy: People care about what impacts their lives today. If you live in an urban or suburban area, the closure of a small rural hospital may not affect you. When you have good health insurance, you probably aren’t overly concerned with issues around Medicaid or the insurance exchanges. And when you’re well educated with a reliable income, health equity and social determinants of health aren’t top of mind.
The one healthcare item that affects almost everyone, regardless of coverage, is the exorbitant and indefensible prices of drugs. And everyone recognizes that if Congress doesn’t take positive action, the problem will not get better on its own. Drug companies and their lobbying groups will make sure of that.
Thanks to all who voted. To participate in future surveys, and for access to 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 a Forbes contributor, bestselling author, Stanford University professor, and host of two healthcare podcasts. Pearl’s newest book, “Uncaring: How the Culture of Medicine Kills Doctors & Patients,” is available now. Follow him on Twitter @RobertPearlMD.
