SACRAMENTO, CA, Aug. 1, 2016 – Yes on Prop 61/Californians for Lower Drug Prices today released the results of a statewide survey that demonstrates strong, across-the-board support for Proposition 61, The California Drug Price Relief Act, a measure to reduce drug prices paid by the State of California.
“We’re pleased that California voters have expressed such strong support for this initiative to cap drug prices,” said Garry South, lead strategist for the Yes on Prop. 61 campaign. “We don’t underestimate the effect of Big Pharma’s $100-million campaign of lies, distortions and self-serving misstatements about Prop. 61, but we start off in a very strong position. We’ll see if voters get as sick and tired of the Pharma ads against 61 as they are of the omnipresent drug-pushing ads that dominate the TV screen.”
Tulchin Research conducted the statewide survey on behalf of Yes on Proposition 61 to assess the prospects of the statewide ballot measure to help reduce the state’s prescription drug costs by requiring the state to purchase drugs from drug companies at the lowest price those companies charge the federal government. The results reveal strong bipartisan support for the measure across the state. The survey finds that nearly three-quarters of voters would vote yes in support of Proposition 61 (73% yes with leaners, 66% without leaners).
“Our research finds Proposition 61, the measure to lower drug prices in California, carries strong support among voters across the state and across key demographic groups,” said Ben Tulchin, president of Tulchin Research, and the chief pollster for the Bernie Sanders for president campaign. “Voters recognize the high cost of prescription drugs and support this effort to address the problem.”
According to Tulchin, the strong majority support for Proposition 61 extends across nearly all demographic groups across the state including party, region, ethnicity and age. For example, the measure is supported (total yes) by:
- 77% of Democrats
- 70% of Republicans
- 71% of Los Angeles area voters
- 70% of Bay Area voters
- 74% of San Diego voters
- 73% of Sacramento voters
- 75% of White voters
- 72% of Latino voters
- 81% of African-American voters
- 73% of voters 18-49
- 73% of voters 50+
Tulchin Research conducted the statewide online survey in California among 800 likely November 2016 voters. Interviews were conducted from July 21-24, 2016. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 3.46 percent.
Proposition 61, on the November ballot, would require the state of California to negotiate with drug companies for drug prices that are no more than is paid for the same drugs by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Unlike Medicare, the DVA negotiates for drug prices on behalf of the millions of veterans it serves, and pays on average 20-24 percent less for medications than other government agencies, and up to 40 percent less than Medicare Part D. Prop. 61 empowers the state, as the healthcare buyer for millions of Californians, to negotiate the same or an even better deal for taxpayers, saving the state billions.
Paid for by Yes on Prop 61, Californians for Lower Drug Prices, With Major Funding by AIDS Healthcare Foundation and California Nurses Association PAC. FPPC ID#1376791