Likely Voters in New York State Are Concerned About Affording Prescription Drugs

Although a majority of likely voters in New York state say they have not decided to skip filling a prescription in the last two years, most express concern that they may not be able to afford the cost of prescription medications they may need in the next few years.

Key Findings

• More than six in ten (62%) likely voters in New York state are very or somewhat concerned about being able to afford prescription medications in the future, with women more likely than men to say so (69% vs. 54%).
• Concern about affording needed medications is also high across racial and ethnic groups (Black: 75%; Latino: 68%; white: 58%) in the state as well as by political ideology (conservative and liberal: both 62%; moderate: 60%).
• Support is high for a proposed wholesale prescription drug program in the state. Likely voters who know about the program support it by a five to one margin (47% support; 9% oppose).

Methodology

The 2024 New York Prescription Drug Survey was conducted by the Siena College Research Institute using the Siena College Poll among a sample of n=1,003 likely voters in New York state. Telephone sampling was conducted via a weighted stratified dual frame sample of landline and cell phone drawn from the L2 database of registered voters. Data were statistically adjusted by region, race/ethnicity, political party, education, statewide vote pattern in the 2020 election, gender, and voter likelihood, a computed score that combines voter history, stated voter likelihood and modeled turnout by respondent. The interviews were conducted in English from September 11 to 16, 2024.

For more information, please contact Teresa A. Keenan at tkeenan@aarp.org. For media inquiries, please contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.