Nov 19, 2019 - Health

Democrats like Medicare for All, but swing voters don't

Drew Altman, Kaiser Family Foundation

Illustration of a health plus with a cross-out symbol as its shadow. — Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

New polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Cook Political Report confirms that while Democratic voters like the idea of “Medicare for All,” it would be a risk in a general election.

Between the lines: This poll was conducted in the formerly “blue wall” states of Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

By the numbers: 62% of Democratic voters in those states say a Medicare for All plan that eliminates private insurance is a good idea — while 62% of swing voters in these battleground states say it’s a bad idea.

Yes, but: Our poll suggests that 2020 is a referendum on President Trump, not on health policy.

By wide margins, Democrats and independents said defeating Trump was their main motivator. Keeping him in office was Republicans’ top factor.

The bottom line: If the Democratic nominee comes to be defined by the idea of Medicare for All, that could be a political problem in key battleground states.

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Democrats like Medicare for All, but swing voters don't

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