Rising Health Care Costs Top Priority for MAHA Supporters in KFF Poll

The survey showed that 4 in 10 MAHA supporters said lowering the cost of health care, including prescription drugs, is the most important health-related priority for the federal government. Another 2 in 10 prioritized restricting chemical additives in food.

One in 10 wanted the government to reevaluate the safety of vaccines now in use. The poll was conducted online and by phone from April 14-19 among 1,343 adults and had a margin of error of three percentage points. Officials at the health policy nonprofit said the findings aligned with past surveys showing health care costs as a leading issue among adults and voters leading into the midterm elections.

4 in 10 voters overall said they support the MAHA movement, which focuses on vaccine safety, chemical additives and pesticides in the food supply. About two thirds of MAHA supporters identify as Republican or Republican-leaning independents, while about 1 in 5 are Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents.

More than two-thirds of MAHA supporters approved of the administration's handling of food policy and vaccine policy. Nearly 7 in 10 approved of the top health official's job performance.

By comparison, 4 in 10 said vaccine safety and food additive issues would have a major impact on their vote. Other recent polling has found that 6 in 10 Americans worry they would be unable to cover medical costs after a serious accident or illness, according to a Gallup survey released April 28.

Nearly half expressed concern about routine medical costs. Democrats have highlighted affordability after enhanced tax credits for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans expired at the end of 2025. Average costs for the 22 million Americans receiving subsidized coverage more than doubled in January.

The administration has pursued agreements with drug manufacturers to lower prescription drug prices through direct negotiations. In April one large pharmaceutical company became the 17th to sign such a pricing agreement.