Tennesseans overwhelmingly demand Medicaid expansion now
- The Vanderbilt Poll shows 73% of Tennesseans support Medicaid expansion.
- Majority blame increasing healthcare costs on insurers and pharmaceuticals rather than healthcare providers.
- The findings indicate a growing demand for federal action on healthcare affordability and access.
In Tennessee, a recent Vanderbilt Poll conducted between November 18 and December 4, 2024, revealed that a significant majority of residents support the expansion of Medicaid. The survey, which included 955 registered voters, indicated that 73% of respondents are in favor of extending Medicaid to low-income and uninsured individuals. This sentiment is shared broadly across party lines, with a notable proportion of Republicans also advocating for this expansion. The poll further highlighted concerns over the rising costs of health care, showing that 87% of respondents feel that health care expenses are excessively high. Interestingly, the blame for these high costs is largely directed towards insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies, rather than healthcare providers such as doctors and hospitals. Specifically, 34% of the respondents blamed health insurers, while 30% pointed to pharmaceutical companies as the primary culprits behind escalating expenses in the healthcare sector. Moreover, the survey revealed strong support for enhanced access to mental health care among the Tennessee population. This includes a call for the federal government to take a more active role in addressing the issues associated with rising health care costs. As a result, support for mental health services has grown, reflecting a broader understanding of the interplay between mental health access and overall healthcare costs. In addition to health care-related issues, the poll's findings also touched on opinions regarding gun laws in Tennessee. A majority of those surveyed endorsed a red flag law, which would allow authorities to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. This aligns with growing concerns about gun violence and safety, as seen in the increasing opposition to allowing expanded rights for carrying long guns in public. These insights contribute to a picture of a state grappling with pressing health care and safety issues, and the electorate appears eager for changes that could address these concerns.