Sen. Bernie Sanders took to social media on Tuesday with a message he has pushed for years. This time, he had fresh polling showing that support for the idea has reached a new high. “People are sick of a broken healthcare system driven by the greed of the insurance industry and Big Pharma,” the Vermont independent said. He added, “The time to pass Medicare for All is NOW.”
According to Common Dreams, KFF, a health policy group, released a new survey showing that 66% of US adults favor a national health insurance program often called Medicare for All. Only 34% oppose it. The outlet reports that this is the highest support KFF has recorded since it began tracking the idea about a decade ago. The poll ran from September 16 to 21. When KFF last asked in October 2020, 53% backed the proposal.
KFF, which conducted the poll, describes Medicare for All as a national plan that would give all Americans their insurance through a single government program.
That is a much broader idea than traditional Medicare. The program primarily covers Americans 65 and older, along with some younger people who qualify because of disabilities or certain medical conditions.
Why healthcare costs are driving the debate
The poll found health costs and gasoline prices tied as Americans’ top economic worries. Voters also trust Democrats over Republicans by 20 points to handle healthcare costs. Those concerns have also surfaced in social media posts, including a Texas mom who said United Healthcare denied her son’s procedure.
Audrey Kearney, a senior survey analyst at KFF, told Reuters that “all year, KFF polls have shown that the public is frustrated with the high cost of healthcare, and that may be leading to a desire for change.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) also backed the proposal. “Americans are done with a healthcare system that puts profits before people,” she said. Omar pointed to a recent Yale University study as well. “Medicare for All can save 114,000 lives and $1 trillion a year,” she said. She added, “Turns out, progressive policies can be good politics AND good policy.”
The proposal is also drawing support at rallies. The Guardian reported Sunday that 1,500 unionized nurses gathered in San Francisco last week to call for the policy. Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed asked the crowd, “Medicare for who?” The nurses shouted back, “All!”
Readers who commented on the Common Dreams report did not all share that optimism. One wrote that “there is NO chance of Medicare for all” until Washington changes. Another, who said they are on Medicare, listed gaps in the current program, including “No glasses coverage, no dental, very limited prescription drug coverage”. A third asked whether supporters also back Wall Street owned hospitals, insurers and drugmakers, then wrote, “Remove all of those before asking for Medicare for all!”
The insurance industry has faced public criticism before. Comedian John Oliver slammed UnitedHealth Group over a case involving a young man who died after losing coverage for his inhaler.
The poll shows what people say they want. It does not show how Congress will respond, with the midterm elections now weeks away.
Published: Oct 7, 2026 11:56 am