69 Percent of Americans Want Medicare for All, Including 46 Percent of Republicans

[JonLP24]

A newly released poll shows that 69 percent of registered voters support Medicare for All, a plan which would create a national health insurance plan available for all Americans.

The poll also showed 46 percent of Republican voters supporting Medicare for All alongside 88 percent of Democrats and 68 percent of Independents.

While several publications have wondered whether the coronavirus epidemic has bolstered support for a national health insurance plan, the poll found that Democratic support remained steady from a similar poll conducted in 2018, rising only two percentage points since then.

https://www.newsweek.com/69-percent-americans-want-medicare-all-including-46-percent-republicans-new-poll-says-1500187#click=https://t.co/vw18Oj2e7c

[Stuart G]

1. Thanks for the post...Shows that we all want.. "Medicare for All"

...I have it, and Medicare has saved me from going broke..

[Hoyt]

2. Would love to see MFA. Unfortunately, the poll details indicate 37% strongly support, while 32%

“SOMEWHAT support.”

That means — as with previous polls, that when details come out that you won’t have a choice of keeping your current insurance, you’ll pay a hefty amount toward MFA (although, on average, a lot of people will save money from current system), taxes will increase, etc. — opposition increases.

If we can pull it off great. But still believe a Public Option, with hefty subsidies, gets us there faster than trying to cram it down throats of significant portion of population.

[notinkansas]

3. There may not be much 'cramming' necessary.

Most working people have health coverage from their employer. There are a whole lot of people who aren't employed any more and have no health insurance.

Given the awful mess we are in with the pandemic and unemployment, I seriously hope that Biden will come around to Medicare for all. Taxes will increase a whole lot less than what insurance/copays/decuctibles cost.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

4. I'm all for Medicare-for-All. Someday, it will happen. Then we'll find out what's in it.

Is it like Medicare Part B, paying 80% of the bill, and maybe some can afford the supplemental insurance? Or is it like Part D, which is a great gift to big pharma, but does little for people?

Or is it like Britain's National Health (System? Service?) which seems to cover everything?

I'm all for NHS.

[Tom Rinaldo]

5. Lot's of Democrats over the years have pushed for this

But credit is due to Bernie Sanders for so strenuously and continually advocating for Medicare for All by making it the centerpiece of his presidential campaigns. He made a real difference in moving this ball forward.

[betsuni]

6. He said nobody believes health care is a human right:

"Health care as a human right. 'Oh, Bernie, that's not -- that's un-American. Nobody believes that.'"

Claimed people laughed when he was asked at a debate what's the most important national security issue and answered climate change. Nobody laughed. The Fight for Fifteen minimum wage movement began in 2012 and had nothing to do with him. Lots of claims.

Rachel Maddow interview 7/10/19

http://www.msnbc.com/transcripts/rachel-maddow-show/2019-07-10

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. The point of my post, IMO, remains

Many Democrats, and others also, hold some or all of the positions that Sanders has embraced. Many came to them later than he, but sure, some came to them earlier. But no other serious contender for the presidency prior to 2016 made Medicare for All arguably the central plank in their platform. In 2020 Sanders was joined by Warren and others in embracing it. I remember back in 2016 when many Democrats, including many here on DU, argued that Medicare for All was a losing position that would endanger Democratic chances for victory. The prominence that pushing for Medicare for All in constant speeches, at constant rallies, in constant ads, and at numerous debates, gave that cause over the last five years, definitely helped move the needle of public opinion. My point has nothing to do with whatever flaws you may of may not attribute to Sanders as a politician or person, nor to whether it was wise or not for Democrats not to choose him as our nominee in either 2016 or 2020.

[betsuni]

8. I take umbrage when he does the"'Oh, Bernie, (fill in usual Democratic policy) that's radical'"

routine. Democratic voters know Democratic policies and Sanders hasn't pushed anybody to the Left. People who don't pay attention to politics don't know, and too often are led into the "both sides" thing, believing Democrats don't want universal health care, higher wages, regulations, environmentalism, etc. It's not helpful. So happy he's not doing that anymore!

Not saying things like this:

"I get a little bit tired of Democrats who defend a cruel, dysfunctional health care system that leaves 87 million Americans uninsured or underinsured."

"Four years ago, when we said that health care was a human right, we were told that it was a radical idea, that the American people wouldn't accept it."

ACA with a public option is a path to universal health care, as Bernie knows because he said in 2017 that it was the only way forward when Republicans have so much power.