Medicare for All is, first and foremost, an exercise in moral persuasion. It will become a serious policy proposal if it creates a major surge in public opinion. That’s how “no chance” reforms win in the United States, whether it’s the passage of Medicare or the right of same-sex couples to marry.
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Medicare Performance
Added to these perceptions is the widespread popularity of Medicare. For example, the majority of Americans (72%), including nearly 9 of 10 seniors (88% of adults 65 years of age or older), have a favorable opinion of Medicare (HSPH–SSRS, 2013). Medicare has been popular since before it was enacted into law in 1965.
Political Implications
Containing Medicare spending for deficit and sustainability reasons is likely to be an issue in future elections. As shown in Table 3, regardless of the potential seriousness of the problem, candidates who favor major cuts in Medicare spending to reduce the federal budget deficit could face negative electoral consequences.
Opinion Polls on the Conflict over Medicare Spending
Harvard School of Public Health–Social Science Research Solutions (HSPH–SSRS) poll, May 13–26, 2013#N#. opens in new tab
Author Affiliations
From the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston (R.J.B., J.M.B.); and the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, MA (R.J.B.).
References (9)
1. Updated budget projections: fiscal years 2013 to 2023. Washington, DC: Congressional Budget Office, May 2013 ( http://cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/44172-Baseline2.pdf#N#. opens in new tab#N#).
