Today, Americans for Lower Drug Prices (ALDP) released a new statewide poll of likely Tennessee voters, which shows strong support for state actions to tackle manufacturer pricing across hundreds of medications. The poll also reveals voter concern and uncertainty about legislation that would risk pharmacy closures, selloffs and the elimination of mail-order services – important to seniors, veterans and military families, respondents say.
The survey finds that four out of five (80%) Tennesseans say it is easy to get prescriptions filled where they live, while nearly three-quarters (74%) say the cost of prescription drugs is a serious problem in the state. The poll finds overwhelming support (89%) for legislation capping the price of insulin, making it an area of a broad consensus.
Legislation introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly, SB 2040 and HB 1959, is taking a different approach: it does not address high drug costs, but instead would mandate pharmacy closures and selloffs based on ownership structure. This, in turn, could disrupt mail-order options that are important to veterans, seniors, and those living in rural areas.
According to the poll, 74% of Tennessee voters consider prescription drug costs a serious problem, with 50% calling it “very serious.” In fact, the affordability crisis is already affecting Tennesseans directly: 50% of respondents have delayed or skipped prescriptions or asked their doctors for cheaper alternatives.
When asked about solutions, voters decisively choose state action: 72% believe the state should play a role in reviewing and limiting prescription drug costs, compared to just 14% who prefer leaving pricing solely to market forces.
Different Pharmacy Types Serve Different Patients
The poll reveals a pattern that shows Tennessee needs every type of pharmacy serving patients today – independent retail, chain retail, mail-order, and specialty pharmacies:
Among specific groups, the poll shows that mail-order is a critical lifeline:
SB 2040 and HB 1959, though, would put at risk entire categories of pharmacies, as it would require some pharmacies and services, based on their ownership, to close or be sold off. Analysts say chain retail pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, and specialty pharmacies in operation in Tennessee today could have their licenses revoked by the state, reducing competition in the marketplace and reducing patient options.
The Solution: Address Manufacturer Pricing, Preserve Pharmacy Access
“The survey results point toward a clear path forward,” ALDP co-founders Michael Glassner and Jason Young said. “Tennesseans want bold action on the real problem – excessive manufacturer pricing. They do not want to lose the pharmacies and services they depend on. Creating a level playing field for all pharmacies is fundamentally different from what SB 2040 and HB 1959 would do, as it would eliminate competition and patient choice. Delivering medications and pharmacy services across Tennessee requires a both/and approach.”
Over the past year ALDP has been listening to patients in Tennessee, like Keezi, and speaking with small business owners. The survey, conducted by Remington Research Group, is also part of ALDP’s efforts to help ensure patients’ views are considered by policymakers.
Survey Methodology
The survey of 640 likely 2026 election voters was conducted February 5-10, 2026, by Remington Research Group. The margin of error is ±3.8% with a 95% level of confidence. The survey was weighted to match likely 2026 election turnout demographics. Full poll results and crosstabs are available on request.
About Americans for Lower Drug Prices
Americans for Lower Drug Prices (ALDP) is a bipartisan 501(c)(4) advocacy organization working to lower drug prices and enact Prescription Drug Affordability Boards at the state level. PDABs address the root cause of unaffordable medications: manufacturers’ unchecked pricing power. ALDP’s commonsense advocacy is focused on veterans, seniors, people living in rural communities, people with disabilities, and Americans who are either uninsured or underinsured, as high drug prices disproportionately harm these groups.
For more information and to hear directly from patients about their prescription drug cost struggles, visit LowerRxPrices.org.
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