New Poll: Alzheimer’s Could Give Candidates an Edge in Midterm Elections

Supermajority of Voters Favor Candidates Who Support Coverage for Early Diagnosis and Treatment

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 19, 2026) A new national survey released by the Market Institute ahead of the midterms shows that a supermajority of voters – including independents and those in key swing states – want candidates to fight for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease by eliminating coverage barriers that throttle access to diagnostic tools and treatments.

The poll, conducted by Fabrizio Ward, finds that:

• 79% of registered voters are more likely to support a candidate who prioritizes better access to early Alzheimer’s detection, diagnosis, and treatment, including 78% of independents.
• 87% believe that fighting Alzheimer’s should be a national priority, including 82% of independents.
• 89% say coverage restrictions and delays from both Medicare and private health insurers block patients from treatments approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“Voters have no patience for government bureaucrats and insurance companies repeatedly delaying, denying, or complicating access to FDA-approved tools that detect Alzheimer’s early, when it’s most treatable,” said Charles Sauer, founder and president of The Market Institute. “Candidates can position themselves for success this November by supporting reforms that end Alzheimer’s coverage restrictions, let doctors and patients make testing and treatment decisions, and give patients more time and autonomy.”

The survey – which polled 1,000 registered voters nationally and 500 registered voters in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, respectively – emphasized the disease’s emotional and financial stakes, with 92% of voters agreeing that being able to diagnose Alzheimer’s early and get treatment that can slow disease progression will save families emotionally and financially.

The poll finds strong support for early diagnosis and reducing coverage barriers, showing:

• 92% support The Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act (ASAP Act), which would enable Medicare to cover future FDA-cleared blood tests that screen for Alzheimer’s disease. 
• 89% are concerned that Medicare and private insurers are delaying and denying doctor-recommended care, including FDA-cleared diagnostic tests, because of coverage uncertainty.
• 89% are concerned that some doctors may not prescribe FDA-approved Alzheimer’s tests or treatments because they know insurance will not cover them, and patients cannot afford to pay out of pocket. 
• 87% agree that early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s will save insurers and taxpayers billions of dollars. 

The poll also included qualitative voter feedback about the political salience of the issue. The findings suggest Alzheimer’s remains an under-addressed issue in national politics, despite its broad voter appeal. “If somebody actually said the word Alzheimer’s in their platform to get elected, people would notice because it’s different,” said Denise, a Republican voter.

Click here to learn more about the survey.

About The Market Institute

The Market Institute is a nonprofit organization advocating for free market policies that promote economic growth, competition, and innovation.