EXCLUSIVE: New Senate poll finds broad support for TrumpRx and cracking down on foreign drug freeloading
A new national poll conducted on behalf of the Senate Republican Conference finds voters strongly back several Republican health care priorities including the TrumpRx prescription drug program and using trade negotiations to push foreign governments to pay more for innovative medicines.
The survey, conducted by GrayHouse, found that 65% of voters approve of TrumpRx after learning about the program, compared to just 22% who disapprove, for a net approval rating of +43 points. Support extends beyond Republicans, with independents approving by a 60%-24% margin and Democrats giving the program a positive 48%-37% rating.
A Senate Republican source told the Reporter, “The fact that even Democrats approve of TrumpRx shows that it’s political gold, especially when our members need to be out there talking about affordability wins.”
The survey found similarly broad backing for the Trump administration’s effort to pressure foreign governments to pay more for prescription drugs rather than relying on American consumers to shoulder a disproportionate share of research and development costs.
The Trump Administration is actively negotiating with Germany over Germany’s drug pricing practices that drive up costs for Americans.
Overall, 56% support using trade negotiations to persuade other wealthy countries to pay more for innovative medicines, compared to 29% who oppose the approach. Republicans favor the proposal by an 80%-10% margin, while independents support it 54%-26%.
The poll also found strong bipartisan support for maintaining incentives to develop treatments for rare diseases, with 78% in favor and only 8% opposed. Three-quarters of voters also support the Trump administration’s recent crackdown on Medicare and Medicaid fraud following what the Justice Department described as the largest health care fraud takedown in its history.
On medical innovation, voters expressed concern about growing competition from China. Sixty percent said they are concerned that China now conducts more clinical drug trials than the United States, while 72% said it is important for America to maintain its leadership in scientific research and development.
The survey also found more support for regulatory reform. Voters were evenly divided on proposals to accelerate clinical testing timelines, and slightly opposed allowing the FDA to approve certain drugs after one clinical trial instead of two, suggesting broad support for innovation but continued caution on drug safety standards.
