Poll Shows Voters Overwhelmingly Support Efforts by President Trump to Reduce Prescription Drug Copays during COVID-19

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Poll results released today show overwhelming, bipartisan support among Florida voters for efforts by President Trump to reduce prescription drug copays for seniors on Medicare during this public health crisis by allowing pharmaceutical companies to provide copay assistance.

Floridians for Attainable and Innovative Rx (FAIRx) unveiled results showing that more than 77% of Florida voters believe President Trump should allow drug companies to provide financial help to seniors through private copay coupons to those on Medicare, reducing what seniors pay at the pharmacy.

“COVID-19 has imposed significant financial hardships on seniors and their families, and those challenges are made worse without out-of-pocket limits for the prescription drugs they rely on to lead healthy lives,” said Eric Goldsmith, DO, FACOS, President of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association (FOMA) – the founding member of FAIRx. “If pharmaceutical companies are allowed to provide copay coupons to Medicare recipients, senior citizens could better afford the important medications they need to stay healthy and out of hospitals. It’s clear from this poll that Florida voters support President Trump reducing the financial burden for seniors’ prescription medications.”

Key findings of the poll include:

• 77% of Florida voters agree that President Trump should allow seniors on Medicare to use coupons from pharmaceutical companies to better afford their prescription drugs.
• There is broad bipartisan support for allowing drug companies to offer Medicare copay cards, with 78% of Republicans, 80% of Democrats, and 77% of independents supporting such a move.

COVID-19 is especially dangerous for the elder population. Due to the unique nature of COVID-19, the government is waiving copays for doctor visits by seniors on Medicare when they use telehealth services. The use of copay coupon cards for seniors would apply the same logic to prescription drugs, making it easier during the crisis for seniors to stay healthy and have a better chance of avoiding hospitalization.

Floridians for Attainable and Innovative Rx (FAIRx) is a physician-led coalition dedicated to helping insured Floridians with chronic health conditions obtain the life-sustaining, innovative therapies they need. FAIRx works to raise awareness of discriminatory health insurance practices that keep Florida families from essential treatment. The coalition also supports state policies that make insurance coverage, coinsurance and copays more transparent and equitable. For more information, visit http://www.FAIRx.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT: 

Eric Goldsmith, DO, FACOS

FOMA President

850-878-7364