PORTLAND — AARP Maine today released new survey data
highlighting the deep divide between Americans and Washington politicians
over health care policies important to older Americans.
“Health care is a deeply personal issue that has a real
and immediate impact on American families across the political spectrum. These
survey findings are very clear – Mainers don’t support legislation that would
mean higher costs and less coverage for older Americans,” said Lori Parham,
AARP Maine State Director. “AARP urges Senator Collins to oppose any
bill that would raise premiums, price people with pre-existing conditions out
of coverage, weaken Medicare and make cuts to Medicaid that would reduce
services for those most at-risk, including low and middle-income seniors in
need of long-term care supports.”
More details from the survey are below:
The Age Tax: 94 percent of Maine voters age 50+ oppose
charging older Americans five times more than others for their healthcare plan,
while just 4 percent support the drastic cost increase. The proportion of age
50+ voters who oppose the age tax includes 88 percent of Republicans, 96 percent
of Independents, and 98 percent of Democrats.
Medicare Cuts: 89 percent of Maine voters age 50+
oppose cutting funding for Medicare and
increasing premiums for current and future seniors, while just 9 percent support the harmful cuts. The proportion of age 50+ voters who oppose Medicare cuts includes 82 percent of Republicans, 89 percent of Independents, and 95 percent of Democrats.
Removal of Pre-existing Condition Protections: 83 percent
of Maine voters age 50+ oppose charging people with pre-existing conditions
more for their coverage, while just 15 percent support doing so. The proportion
of age 50+ voters who oppose removal of this protection includes 67 percent of
Republicans, 83 percent of Independents, and 95 percent of Democrats.
Medicaid Funding Cuts: 79 percent of Maine voters
age 50+ oppose cutting funding for Medicaid, while just 18 percent support the
harmful cuts. The proportion of age 50+ voters who oppose Medicaid cuts
includes 68 percent of Republicans, 81 percent of Independents, and 88 percent
of Democrats.
Methodology: AARP commissioned a telephone survey
among 601 likely voters age 50+ in Maine. The sample utilized an age-targeted
registered voter landline and cell phone list who were contacted between June 2
and June 13, 2017. The data were weighted by age, gender, race/ethnicity and
geographic region and are generalizable to registered voters in Maine age 50+.
The survey has a margin of sampling error of ±4 percent. The survey annotation
will be made available at www.aarp.org/2017healthcaresurvey.
