A majority of Virginia voters want state lawmakers to pass legislation that would set new standards for health insurance companies when it comes to transparency surrounding prior authorization decisions and approval rates, a new poll shows.
The polling firm Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy polled 625 registered Virginia voters from December 17-December 20 on their experiences and views regarding the healthcare industry, specifically health insurance companies providing customers with prior authorization before receiving medical care.
A total of 88 percent of voters said they would support state lawmakers in the Virginia General Assembly working this year to pass legislation that would “establish standards for prior authorization decisions by health insurance companies and require more transparency by making information on prior authorization requirements and approval rates publicly available for customers and their doctors.”
Only 8 percent of voters said they oppose a state law that set such standards, while 4 percent were undecided on the issue.
The poll also questioned voters on Virginia’s Certificate of Public Need (COPN) program, which regulates healthcare expansion by distributing medical services and facilities.
A total of 59 percent of voters said they believe the state’s current COPN program should be kept in place, while 18 percent said the program should be eliminated, and 23 percent were unsure.
Voters were also polled on how they believe healthcare should be regulated in the state, specifically if healthcare services should be “evenly distributed” or if healthcare should be treated as a “free market” in the state where the government has no say in regulating the industry.
A total of 75 percent of voters said they favor a health system that regulates the expansion of facilities and services to promote access to care and distribution of health care providers and facilities.
Only 19 percent of voters said they favor a free market, while 6 percent were unsure.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
