On behalf of United For Cures, Public Opinion Strategies conducted an online national survey of 1,500 registered voters. The survey was conducted March 4-10, 2026, and has a credibility interval of +2.89%.
Even though the country is politically divided, medical research is one of the few issues voters agree on. Across party lines, voters support keeping the U.S. as the global leader in medical research and continuing federal funding for medical research.
KEY FINDINGS
There is near unanimous agreement that the U.S. should be the global leader in medical research.
An overwhelming 95% of voters believe it is important for the United States to be the global leader in medical research, including 61% who say it is “very important.” This holds across party lines, with 98% of Republicans, 94% of Democrats, and 90% of Independents believing global leadership is important—a remarkable bipartisan consensus in today’s politically divided times.
More than sixty percent (60%) of voters oppose cutting federal funding for medical research, including close to half who are strongly opposed to cuts.
Fully two-thirds of voters (66%) oppose a cut of even 20% to the federal medical research budget, with nearly one-half (48%) strongly opposing the idea. Only 20% of voters are in support.
A majority of Republicans (52%) and nearly two-thirds of Independents (63%) oppose the cuts. Opposition is also high among seniors, with only 19% in support and 67% opposed.
Cutting medical research is an electoral liability.
Supporting cuts to medical research funding is toxic with voters. Fully 64% of voters would be less likely to vote for a member of Congress who voted for substantial cuts. A mere 16% would be more likely. The less likely number is high among key swing groups, such as Independents (12%-66%), Seniors (12%-63%), and Moderates (13%-67%). Notably, a plurality of Republicans (23%-49%) report that they would be less likely to vote for a member of Congress who votes to cut funding.
BOTTOM LINE
Voters overwhelmingly support federal investment in medical research and are clearly opposed to cutting it. Medical research continues to be a nonpartisan priority, essential not only to both personal and public health, but also to keeping the country at the forefront of innovative and scientific discoveries.
Americans want the U.S. to keep leading the way in global health breakthroughs and to be a pioneer in medical innovation. Voters understand that federal funding plays a critical role in driving new treatments and cures. Even those predisposed to be cautious about government spending still want more investment in this area, not less.
Strong majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents all support protecting medical research funding, a rare agreement across party lines in today’s political environment.