The Care Economy – Policies and Polling on Mitigating the Effects of the Coronavirus

Executive Summary

• We find popular support among likely voters for a package of proposals that will mitigate the effects of coronavirus, including free access to testing and vaccines, access to comprehensive care without premiums, copays, deductibles, or other costs, and paid sick and family leave.

• Overall, voters overwhelmingly support these policies. Free access to testing, vaccines, and proposals for paid sick and family leave are all supported by at least 66% of voters. Access to comprehensive care is supported by 53% of voters (including 74% of Democrats).

• Access to free testing and vaccines had the strongest support, with 76% and 75% supporting, respectively. This support was strongly bipartisan, with 75% of Republicans and 84% of Democrats supporting each proposal.

• Paid leave proposals also had strong bipartisan support. Overall, 66% of voters support paid sick leave for all workers, including 56% of Republicans and 81% of Democrats. Similarly, 68% of voters overall support paid family leave for all workers whose children are diagnosed with the coronavirus or whose children’s schools are closed due to the coronavirus, including 61% of Republicans and 83% of Democrats.