Medicare for All Support Climbs to 66%
A recent poll from health research group KFF reported that support for Medicare for All among U.S. adults increased to 66% in 2026, marking the highest level of approval since 2016.
Details of Survey Findings
The polling results published on Tuesday revealed that 32% of those surveyed strongly favored establishing a national health plan where all Americans would receive insurance from a single government plan. This concept, known as Medicare for All, saw a 13-point growth in support compared to figures from 2020.
Additionally, 34% showed somewhat support, whereas 15% somewhat opposed, and 19% were strongly against the plan. The KFF also noted a party-line divide in opinions, as 84% of Democrats supported Medicare for All, while 66% of Republicans were against it. Among independents, approval reached 72%.
Influence of Public Debate
The survey outlined how public debates swayed American opinions on national health plans. When respondents considered potential delays in medical appointments, opposition surged to 76%. Similarly, 64% opposed Medicare for All if it resulted in tax hikes, and 61% were against it if it jeopardized the current Medicare system.
Conversely, support grew when the plan guaranteed health insurance as a right for all Americans, with approval rates hitting 76%. Eliminating health insurance premiums added further favorability, garnering support from 52% of respondents. Notably, these results differ from October 2020 findings, where the elimination of private insurance resulted in lower support, at just 37%. Opposition was higher at 58% when respondents were informed it could make private insurance obsolete.
Legislative Efforts
Progressive lawmakers have pushed for the Medicare for All Act, introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) in April 2025. Though co-sponsored by 117 House Democrats, GOP lawmakers opposed it, calling it too radical. Despite growing support for a national health plan, healthcare affordability continues to be a major voter concern, with Democrats trusted over Republicans by a nearly two-to-one margin.
Approximately half of voters deemed it “extremely important” for midterm election candidates to address healthcare costs.
Poll Methodology
The survey involved 1,328 respondents between Sept. 16–21, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.