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October 23 Capitol Pulse Results: Congress Opposes D.C. National Guard Deployment, Rejects Medicare for All, and Blames Private Insurers for Healthcare Costs
This week’s Capitol Pulse results examine the National Guard deployment in Washington, congressional plans for the midterm elections, Medicare for All, and the rising cost of U.S. healthcare. Congress opposes keeping the National Guard deployed in D.C. and rejects Medicare for All overall, while the healthcare results reveal sharp partisan differences over what drives medical costs.
Congress Opposes Keeping the National Guard in D.C.
- Yes
- No
View data table
| Group | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Congress | 43.77% | 56.23% |
| Democrats | 6.06% | 93.94% |
| Republicans | 81.48% | 18.52% |
56.23% of Congress oppose keeping the National Guard deployed in Washington, D.C. , while 43.77% support keeping the deployment in place.
The partisan divide is substantial. 93.94% of Democrats oppose the continued deployment , compared with 18.52% of Republicans. Among Republicans, 81.48% support keeping the Guard in D.C.
The overall result favors ending the deployment, with Democrats nearly unanimous in opposition and Republicans strongly in favor of keeping the Guard in place.
Congress Plans to Turn Out for the Midterms
- Already voted
- Planning to vote
- Not voting
View data table
| Group | Already voted | Planning to vote | Not voting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | 33.60% | 58.69% | 7.70% |
| Democrats | 31.03% | 62.07% | 6.90% |
| Republicans | 36.17% | 55.32% | 8.51% |
Congress reports high intended participation in the midterm elections. 58.69% say they plan to vote, and another 33.60% say they have already voted. Just 7.70% say they do not plan to vote.
The results are similar across parties. 91.49% of Republicans and 93.10% of Democrats say they have already voted or plan to vote. Among Republicans, 36.17% say they have already voted and 55.32% plan to vote. Among Democrats, 31.03% say they have already voted and 62.07% plan to vote.
The results show strong reported participation among Congress, with fewer than one in ten respondents saying they do not plan to vote.
Congress Rejects Medicare for All
- Yes
- Not sure
- No
View data table
| Group | Yes | Not sure | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | 36.88% | 17.66% | 45.46% |
| Democrats | 64.00% | 28.00% | 8.00% |
| Republicans | 9.76% | 7.32% | 82.93% |
Congress leans against establishing a Medicare for All program. 45.46% oppose the proposal, 36.88% support it, and 17.66% are unsure.
The partisan divide is stark. 64.00% of Democrats support Medicare for All , compared with 9.76% of Republicans. Among Republicans, 82.93% oppose the program , while 7.32% are unsure.
The overall result favors opposition to Medicare for All, while the party breakdown shows Democrats favoring the program and Republicans overwhelmingly opposing it.
Congress Blames Private Insurers and Corporate Hospitals for Rising Healthcare Costs
- Private insurers
- Corporate hospitals
- Big Pharma
- Federal regulations
- PBMs
View data table
| Group | Private insurers | Corporate hospitals | Big Pharma | Federal regulations | PBMs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | 37.62% | 31.23% | 17.54% | 7.69% | 5.92% |
| Democrats | 56.00% | 24.00% | 12.00% | 0.00% | 8.00% |
| Republicans | 19.23% | 38.46% | 23.08% | 15.38% | 3.85% |
Congress most often points to private insurers as the leading cause of rising U.S. healthcare costs, at 37.62% , followed by corporate hospitals at 31.23%. Big Pharma comes next at 17.54%, while federal regulations account for 7.69% and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for 5.92%.
The parties identify different leading causes. 56.00% of Democrats blame private insurers , compared with 19.23% of Republicans. Republicans are more likely to point to corporate hospitals, at 38.46% , or Big Pharma, at 23.08%.
The results place private insurers first overall, with corporate hospitals a close second. The partisan split is clear: Democrats most often identify insurers, while Republicans most often identify corporate hospitals.