Axios-Ipsos poll: "Medicare for All" support surges

Axios · 10/13/2026, 9:30:09 AM

Supporters of "Medicare for All" now outnumber opponents by nearly 2-to-1, according to a new survey of U.S. adults from the Axios-Ipsos American Health Index . The big picture: Two-thirds of all survey respondents — and half of Republicans — said the federal government should be willing to spend more tax dollars to lower health care costs for Americans. Why it matters: With three weeks to go before the midterm elections, and private health insurance premiums and prescription prices crushing voters, these findings suggest a path for swing-state candidates who embrace socialized medicine. But the public's openness is driven more by desperation than by confidence in government. Affordability is foremost on most Americans' minds, and health care brings almost daily reminders of economic pressure. Between the lines: Survey respondents say they want more government intervention — but they trust those leaders less than ever. Trust in President Trump for health-related information fell to a survey low of 20%. Trust in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fell to a survey low of 25%. Trust in congressional Republicans (20%) and Democrats (25%) also were at lows. By the numbers: 43% of Americans said they support the idea of establishing a "Medicare for All" program to provide government-run health insurance to all, largely replacing private health insurance; 24% oppose the idea and 32% say they aren't sure. Nearly half of independents (47%) support it, as do 62% of Democrats. 21% of Republicans support Medicare for All, and 27% are undecided, compared with 52% who oppose the idea. The other side: Opponents said their top reason is they fear Medicare for All would have a worse quality of care than private insurance. Other reasons were feeling it would become too expensive for taxpayers; that government should not be providing health care; or that it would expand the size of government too much. But resistance to the idea has changed markedly from recent campaign cycles, wh