Sunburn — The Morning Read Of What’s Hot In Florida Politics — 9.2.21

By Peter Schorsch    

Good Thursday morning.

Voters in Florida’s 7th Congressional District say they’re paying too much for their prescriptions, and they want U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy to empower Medicare to do something about it.

According to Public Policy Polling survey conducted in the district, nearly nine in 10 voters think that drug prices are too high in the United States.

The belief was nearly universal among Democrats (94%), though It’s a sentiment that crosses party lines — 86% of independents and Republicans said the same.

The survey, conducted on behalf of Protect Our Care, also found that roughly four-fifths of CD 7 voters would support giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, and 61% said they would “strongly” support granting it that power.

They said they don’t care if those negotiation powers stifle innovation — an argument commonly made by drug companies. They erred on the side of negotiating 71%-10%. Voters older than 65 — the eligibility age for Medicare — favor negotiation over drug innovation 72%-10%.

The PPP survey covered a long list of Medicare issues, but voters were clear that they expect their congresswoman to back such reforms.

More than two-fifths of those polled said they would be less likely to vote for Murphy if she opposed drug negotiations. That includes 47% of Democrats, 34% of Republicans, and 47% of independents.

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Sunburn will be off Friday, returning to inboxes the Tuesday after Labor Day. We hope you have a relaxing weekend.

— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —

Tweet, tweet:

—@KyleGriffin1: Axios-Ipsos poll: Just 20% of Americans are “not very likely” or “not at all likely” to get a COVID vaccine. That’s the lowest number ever recorded in the poll.

—@KirbyWTweets: Interestingly, Florida now ranks ahead of seven states that went for (Joe) Biden in vaccinations per capita, according to @CDCgov: Illinois (!), Minnesota(!!), Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan and Georgia. Florida is 19th overall and climbing the rankings.

—@GrayRohrer: There’s a nonzero chance both Laura Loomer and Anthony Sabatini will be in Congress in 2023.

Tweet, tweet:

—@MBakerTBTimes: #FSU will host a COVID vaccine clinic before Sunday’s #NotreDame game. First 250 people will get a $50 gift card good for merch at the FSU Bookstore and Seminole Sportshop. Runs from 3-7 Sunday