More than half of Americans support healthcare price controls, poll finds

More than half of American voters say the government should limit healthcare prices to make care more affordable, according to a new poll.

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, healthcare affordability has become a key issue for the battle over control in Congress. Cuts to Medicaid through the “One Big Beautiful Bill” set to take effect in January 2027 persist as a key campaign point for Democrats and a thorn in the side of Republicans across the country.

The Center Square Voters Voice Poll, conducted by Noble Predictive Insights, found 59% of American voters said “government should limit healthcare prices to make care more affordable.” By comparison, 24% of voters said “government price controls could reduce access to care or medical intervention.” About 13% of voters were not sure which statement to select.

“They’re looking for relief economically,” said pollster Mike Noble, founder of Noble Predictive Insights. “You should be able to cap this stuff. Whether it’s the government doing this or whoever.”

The Voters Voice Poll was conducted from Aug. 12 to 16 and surveyed 2,533 registered voters. The sample included 930 Republicans, 930 Democrats and 673 Independents. Among independent voters, 330 identified as true independents, or individuals who did not lean toward either major party when asked.

Democrats were among the most likely demographic groups surveyed to support government price controls on healthcare. About 66% of Democrat respondents called for the government to lower healthcare costs through price controls.

Male respondents who tend to favor the Republican party were the most likely demographic to say government price controls could reduce access to healthcare or innovation.

“It’s less about access to care,” Noble said. “It’s just reining in the medical companies so they’re not screwing over the average American voter like they feel they have.”

True Independent voters were most likely to be not sure about whether the government should control healthcare prices. About 31% of true independents said they were not sure in response to the survey.

About 56% of individuals making more than $100,000 per year said the government should lower healthcare costs while 60% of individuals making less than $50,000 per year said the same.

Older respondents were less likely to agree the government should control healthcare prices. About 56% of respondents 65 years old and older said the government should limit healthcare prices while 58% of 18 to 29 year olds said the same.

About 61% of respondents between 30 and 64 said the government should control healthcare prices. Across age groups, 18 to 19 year olds were least likely to be unsure with only 8% who could not choose between either statement.

"Whether younger, older whether they're less educated, more educated, it's the costs," Noble said. "Get the costs under control."