A recent poll indicates that a majority of Americans want the government to take a more active role in reducing healthcare costs, although opinions diverge sharply on specific policy approaches. The survey, conducted by Axios-Ipsos and released Tuesday, found that about two-thirds of Americans, including roughly half of Republicans, support increased government spending aimed at lowering healthcare expenses. Despite this broad desire for cost relief, many respondents remain cautious about adopting a single-payer system like Medicare for All.
The poll revealed that just 43% of Americans favor Medicare for All, a policy that would establish a government-operated, universal healthcare system. Opposition stands at 24%, while 32% remain uncertain. Support is strongest among Democrats, with 62% backing the proposal, many of whom favor a system comparable to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, which provides free access to care funded through taxation. Nearly half of independents (47%) also expressed support for Medicare for All.
Mark Washawsky, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, suggested that frustration with rising healthcare costs drives public sentiment. “People are justifiably angry at the high and rising cost and inefficiency of healthcare in the US,” he said. However, Washawsky cautioned that respondents may underestimate potential drawbacks of Medicare for All, including higher taxes, restricted access to care, reduced innovation, and increased political influence in healthcare.
Currently, Medicare—the federal program insuring more than 70 million Americans aged 65 and older or with disabilities—is the government’s third-largest expenditure after Social Security and interest on the national debt, accounting for about 14% of total federal spending. Medicare outlays reached $1.2 trillion in 2025, doubling over the past decade.
Opposition to Medicare for All stems partly from concerns over potential declines in care quality compared to private insurance, fears about increased taxpayer burdens, and apprehension about expanding government reach. Within the Republican Party, attitudes toward expanding healthcare subsidies are divided: 31% said they would be more likely to support candidates endorsing such measures, 29% said less likely, and 31% indicated it would not influence their vote.
The survey also highlights growing dissatisfaction with key figures and institutions involved in healthcare policy. Trust in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fallen to a record low of 25%. Congressional approval ratings are similarly low, with Democrats at 25% and Republicans at 20%. Trust in former President Donald Trump as a source of health-related information dropped to 20%.
Cost concerns remain paramount among the public. Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows insurance premiums have increased 27% since 2020. A Gallup poll conducted in December 2025 found that 29% of Americans identified healthcare costs as the country’s most urgent health issue. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, healthcare affordability continues to be a pivotal topic influencing voter preferences.