Gallup Poll Says Americans Equally Divided on Single-Payer
Richard Krasner, MA, MHA
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Don McCanne, former President of the Physicians for a National Health Plan posted a New York Times article that said that Americans are equally divided over support for single-payer versus private insurance.
The article also said that support for single-payer edged up 10-points from last year, and closed a 27-point gap since 2010.
This year’s survey, conducted Nov. 2-8, indicated that 48% preferred the private health insurance system and 47% preferred the government-run system.
Here is the breakdown by party:
Favor government-run system
22% Republicans/Leaners
67% Democrats/Leaners
Favor system based on private insurance
76% Republicans/Leaners
29% Democrats/Leaners
When asked if they had an opinion on “Medicare for All”, the majority said they did not have enough information.
17% Favor
21% Oppose
61% Don’t know enough to say
While private insurance is still favored, if only by a percentage point, time will tell as the GOP’s tax plan takes effect and wipes out the middle class, whether that poll changes in the direction of single-payer.