Axios-Ipsos Poll Shows Increased Support for Medicare for All

<p>According to a new survey of U.S. adults from the Axios-Ipsos American Health Index, supporters of "Medicare for All" now outnumber opponents by nearly 2-to-1.</p><p><strong>The big picture:</strong> Two-thirds of all survey respondents, including half of Republicans, indicated that the federal government should be willing to spend more tax dollars to lower health care costs for Americans.</p><hr /><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> With three weeks remaining before the midterm elections, the findings suggest potential advantages for swing-state candidates who support socialized medicine. The public's openness to this idea appears to be driven more by economic pressures than by confidence in government.</p><ul><li>Affordability is a primary concern for many Americans, with health care costs serving as a frequent reminder of economic strain.</li></ul><p><strong>Between the lines:</strong> While survey respondents express a desire for more government intervention, trust in government leaders is reportedly low.</p><ul><li>Trust in President Trump for health-related information has dropped to a survey low of 20%.</li><li>Trust in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is at a low of 25%.</li><li>Trust in congressional Republicans stands at 20%, while trust in Democrats is at 25%.</li></ul><p><strong>By the numbers:</strong> The survey found that 43% of Americans support establishing a "Medicare for All" program to provide government-run health insurance, while 24% oppose it and 32% are unsure. Support is notably high among independents (47%) and Democrats (62%), while 21% of Republicans support the initiative, with 27% undecided and 52% opposed.</p><ul><li>Opponents cite concerns that Medicare for All would result in lower quality of care compared to private insurance as their primary reason for opposition.</li><li>Other concerns include the potential high costs for taxpayers, the belief that the government should not provide health care, and fears of an expanded government role.</li><li>Resistance to the idea has shifted from previous campaign cycles, where centrist Democrats were more likely to support a public health insurance option or a version of Medicare for All that included private insurance.</li></ul><p><strong>What we're watching:</strong> Respondents indicated they would be more likely to support congressional candidates who favor expanding government subsidies for health care costs, reinstating enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits that expired at the beginning of the year, and expanding prescription drug discount platforms.</p><ul><li>While Republicans are generally less supportive than Democrats and independents, there is a division within the GOP regarding support for expanding government subsidies for health care costs, with 31% more likely to back a candidate supporting this idea, 29% less likely, and 31% indicating it would make no difference.</li><li>Half of respondents stated they would be less likely to support a candidate backed by pharmaceutical and drug companies, compared to 7% who would be more likely to support such candidates.</li></ul><p><strong>What they're saying:</strong> "Health care is one of the significant ways that people experience economic pressure every day," said Mallory Newall, Ipsos vice president for U.S. public affairs. She noted that while many Americans have questions about "Medicare for All," the current level of support is significant and not solely driven by Democrats.</p><ul><li>Newall suggested that depending on a candidate's party affiliation or district makeup, they may not label their proposals as "Medicare for All," but expanding federal programs to cover more Americans' health costs could resonate with voters in the current cycle.</li></ul><p><em>Methodology: This Axios-Ipsos Poll was conducted from September 25 to 28, 2026, by Ipsos' KnowledgePanel®. The poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 1,122 general population adults aged 18 or older.</em></p><ul><li><em>The margin of sampling error is +/-3.0 percentage points at the 95% confidence level for results based on the entire sample of adults.</em></li></ul>