Support for Medicare for All Reaches Record High in 2026

In 2026, support for Medicare for All reached 66 percent among U.S. adults, marking the highest level of support since 2016. According to a poll released by health research group KFF, 32 percent of respondents strongly favored a national health plan where all Americans receive insurance through a single government plan, commonly known as Medicare for All.

The survey showed a significant increase in support for the policy, with a 13-point rise compared to 2020. An additional 34 percent of those surveyed somewhat supported the plan. In contrast, 15 percent somewhat opposed it and 19 percent were strongly against it.

Political affiliations played a role in respondents’ views. Among Democrats, 84 percent favored the policy, while 66 percent of Republicans opposed it. Independent voters showed 72 percent support for Medicare for All.

KFF highlighted that public opinion on national health plans can fluctuate based on public discourse. For instance, 76 percent opposed Medicare for All when told it could lead to medical appointment delays. Additionally, 64 percent opposed it due to potential tax increases, and 61 percent were against it if it threatened the current Medicare system.

Conversely, when informed that the policy might guarantee health insurance as a right for all Americans, support climbed to 76 percent. Furthermore, eliminating health insurance premiums led 52 percent to back the plan, despite concerns over eliminating private insurance companies, which previously led to lower support at 37 percent in October 2020.

This shift in opinion transcended party and age lines. In April 2025, a group of progressive lawmakers introduced the Medicare for All Act to address rising healthcare concerns. The bill, led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and supported by 117 House Democrats, faced opposition from GOP lawmakers labeling it as too extreme.

Despite growing support for a national health plan, healthcare affordability remains a top voter concern. According to KFF, voters tend to trust Democrats over Republicans on this issue by nearly a two-to-one margin. Approximately half of the voters consider it ‘extremely important’ for candidates in midterm elections to focus on healthcare costs.

The poll surveyed 1,328 respondents between September 16 and 21, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.