(The Center Square) – A majority of Tennesseans support Medicaid expansion, according to the latest Vanderbilt Poll released Friday.
The survey of 955 registered Tennessee voters also shows that most blame insurance companies and pharma for high health care costs, not doctors or hospitals.
A majority of Republicans are among the 73% who strongly agreed or somewhat agreed that Medicaid should be expanded to low-income and uninsured residents. Among women, 79% supported the expansion compared to 66% of men.
Tennessee is one of 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid, according to research from KFF.
Respondents also overwhelmingly supported mental health care access, according to the poll.
Tennesseans want the federal government to do more about rising health care costs. Eighty-seven percent of said costs were too high, but the blame was not put on doctors or hospitals.
Health insurers are responsible, according to 34% of respondents, followed by pharma at 30%.
“These numbers are a positive indicator of approval for Nashville’s health care economy, which is historically rooted in the provider space – the doctors and hospitals that receive little blame, especially when compared to the other sectors of the industry,” said John Geer, co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll.
The number of respondents who identify as “pro-choice” is 53%, up from 48% in 2012 and 37% in 2012. A majority also said they support legal abortion in cases of incest and rape, according to the poll.
A majority of Tennesseans support a red flag law that allows the state to temporarily take away firearms from someone determined to be in danger to themselves or others. Opposition to expanding the right to carry long guns is at 74%, up from 71% in May. A majority of those polled also favor laws that require firearms owners to secure them in their vehicles or residences.
The poll was conducted between Nov. 18 and Dec. 4.
