A poll analyzed by Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Politico found that significantly more than half of Americans want Congress to enact a taxpayer-funded health insurance program like Medicare-for-All.
Politico posted the results of its poll in its newsletter, but the full results are available in a report published by Harvard online. A full 68 percent of respondents were in favor of programs like those proposed by Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) have proposed in their respective congressional chambers.
Among Democrats, a whopping 84 percent of respondents were in favor of a Medicare-for-All plan. Among independents, those favoring such a plan was nearly as high: 70 percent. Among Republicans, the figure was much lower at just 39 percent. These respondents agreed that “providing health insurance coverage for everyone through a taxpayer-funded national plan, like Medicare for All” ought to be “an extremely important priority” in the 116th Congress.
These figures are particularly important to view through the scope of political identity rates. The most recent Gallup poll on party affiliation from last month shows that 39 percent of all Americans identify as Independents. Meanwhile, 32 percent identify as Democrats and 26 percent identify as Republicans.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) Pelosi has already announced that Medicare-for-All hearings will take place in at least two House committees. Pelosi ridiculed Sen. Bernie Sanders’ mention of a Medicare-for-All system during the 2016 primary season and failed to co-sponsor former Rep. John Conyers’ most recent Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act in the 115th Congress.
Finch & Eagle 