Poll: 'Medicare for All' Support Drops When Possible Side-Effects Discussed
How do you feel about 'Medicare for All'?
A poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the American public likes the concept of a ‘Medicare for All’ national health plan ― but that support plummets to strong disapproval when possible side-effects of such a healthcare system are mentioned.
Overall, the poll found that 56% of respondents favored a Medicare for All national health plan. Support was even higher for its key objectives:
- 71% favored guaranteeing health insurance as a right for all Americans.
- 67% favored eliminating all health insurance premiums and reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs for most Americans.
However, Americans opposed a national Medicare for All healthcare system under the following circumstances:
- 70% opposed a healthcare system that’d lead to delays in people getting some medical tests and treatments.
- 60% opposed a plan that’d threaten the current Medicare system.
- 60% opposed a plan that’d require most Americans to pay more in taxes.
- 58% opposed eliminating private health insurance companies.
Based on those findings, the Medicare for All bills offered by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and former-Rep. Charles Rangel (D-MI) during the last Congress would face stiff opposition for a few reasons:
- Their bills would eliminate the current structure of Medicare. The only federal healthcare programs that’d be unchanged under their proposals would be those offered through the Indian Health Service and the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA).
- While their proposals didn’t include any funding mechanism, both plans were contingent on a combination of new and increased taxes that were going to be included in separate legislation.
- Both bills would prohibit private health insurance companies from offering plans that rival the benefits covered by Medicare for All ― they’d only be allowed to offer plans for extraneous benefits, such as plastic surgery.
— Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: iStock.com / Tinpixels)
The Latest
-
SCOTUS Hears Arguments of Abortion Pill Mifepristone CaseUpdated March 27, 2024, 12:30 p.m. EST On Tuesday, March 26, the Supreme Court heard arguments about the mifepristone case, read more... Women's Health
-
IT: ⛑️ It's American Red Cross Giving Day, and... How will you give back today?Welcome to Wednesday, March 27th, philanthropists and entrepreneurs... It's American Red Cross Giving Day - a time to ensure the read more...
-
Moscow Concert Hall, Russia’s Deadliest Attack in DecadesOn Friday, March 22, at least four men fired automatic weapons into a sold-out show at the Crocus City Hall auditorium in read more... Public Safety
-
Discover Gravvy — A New Way to Support What Matters MostDiscover Gravvy — A New Way to Support What Matters Most Are you ready to optimize your giving? read more...