AARP Poll: Findings Show Missouri's 50-Plus Voters United in Concern Over Health Care and Financial Security

 

AARP Poll: Findings Show  Missouri’s 50-Plus Voters United in Concern Over Health Care and Financial Security  

Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill has a 2% lead in the U.S. Senatorial Race

Kansas City, Missouri – In a newly released AARP poll, Missouri voters age 50 and over are united in their concern over health care and personal finance issues. The poll found that health care and Social Security are critically important issues to 50-plus voters as they cast their ballots this fall and a strong majority (78 percent) believe it is unfair to deny coverage or charging those with pre-existing conditions more for health care. The survey is part of AARP’s “Be the Difference. Vote” campaign and continues AARP’s long tradition of nonpartisan voter engagement.

“Americans 50 and older are the nation’s most powerful voting bloc,” said AARP Missouri State Director Craig Eichelman. “Historically, older Americans vote in larger numbers than any other age group. AARP is seeking to ensure issues of particular importance to older voters are front and center – issue like Medicare, Social Security, prescription drug costs, and family caregiving.”

At least 60 percent of Missouri’s 50-plus voters indicated that candidates’ positions on lowering health care costs, strengthening and reforming Social Security and Medicare, addressing rising prescription drug costs, and helping older people live independently are among the issues very important to them.

The poll findings also point to a close race for Missouri’s U.S. Senate race. Senator Claire McCaskill (D) has a two percent lead over her opponent Josh Hawley (R) among voters age 50 and over. Of the 800 people polled, 39 percent said they would vote for Senator Claire McCaskill (D) if the election were held today while 37 percent said they would vote for Josh Hawley (R). Only 12 percent of older voters are undecided. The poll has a margin of error of 3.5 percent.

Missouri’s 50-plus voters say candidate positions on health care costs and Social Security will be very important to their voting decisions. The Missouri poll found:

• 92 percent of 50-plus voters think Medicare is very important for people’s health in retirement, and 89 percent agree Congress should make changes to ensure the program can continue to cover hospital benefits as it does now beyond 2029.
• 83 percent believe it is unfair to deny coverage or make those with pre-existing conditions pay more for their health care.
• 85 percent do not agree with allowing insurance companies to charge older people up to five times more for health insurance.
• 73 percent feel that candidates’ positions on rising prescription drug costs are very important to them, and 69 percent believe drug companies have a lot of influence over members of Congress.
• 72 percent support importation of prescription drugs.
• 85 percent say Social Security is very important for financial security in retirement, and 69 percent believe the government should do something immediately to strengthen Social Security.
• 86 percent support providing an income tax credit to family caregivers.
• 74 percent support the state expanding the Medicaid program so people ages 50 – 64 who don’t have insurance through their jobs or have lost a job can get the care they need.

The survey is part of AARP’s “Be the Difference. Vote” campaign designed to encourage older Americans to make their voices heard at the ballot box this fall. For more information on AARP’s "Be The Difference. Vote™," campaign and to pledge to vote in this year’s elections, go to www.aarp.org/vote.

AARP does not endorse candidates, have a political action committee (PAC), or make contributions to political parties, political campaigns or candidates.

The poll, conducted by Alan Newman Research, surveyed 800 Missouri voters 50 and older between August 22 and August 31 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points. View the full summary report below.

AARP Missouri 50-Plus Mid-Term Election Voter Summary Report

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit  www.aarp.org  or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.