Poll: voters support Medicare expansion while maintaining private insurance

The majority of voters participating in a new survey support a health care plan that would expand the public option while maintaining the private insurance sector.

Sixty-seven percent of registered voters are in favor of people under age 65 having the opportunity to purchase health care coverage through a Medicare program, while maintaining private insurance options available, according to the Wall Street Journal / NBC poll released Sunday.

According to the survey, less than half of registered voters, or 41%, are in favor of a Medicare for All system that would eliminate the private health insurance industry.

That the proposals are more popular among Democratic voters. But even among Democrats, pollsters found that maintaining a private insurance option was more widely supported.

The survey found that 78 percent of Democratic primary voters said they would support giving people under age 65 the opportunity to buy health insurance through a Medicare program.

A lower percentage of Democrat voters, 63%, said they support a single payer health system that would eliminate private health insurance.

The results come as Democrats in the presidential primary debate different health care proposals. Progressive candidates such as Sens. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenWarren overtakes Biden in Iowa for the first time: a poll avoids attacks while gaining ground, Sanders unveils plan to eliminate US medical debt PLUS (D-Mass.) And Bernie SandersBernie SandersWarren overtakes Biden for the first time in Iowa: poll Polls pose the wrong question. Sanders unveils plan to eliminate US medical debt PLUS (I-Vt.) Support a health insurance system for all that would completely rid the private sector of health care.

Other hopefuls of the White House, including Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisWarren overtakes Biden for the first time in Iowa: the ballot is taking place in the Iowa GOP by 2020. Democrat candidates are heading to Steak Fry Warren to avoid the attacks while creating an additional dynamic. (D-Calif.) And South Bend., Mayor of Ind. Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul ButtigiegWarren overtakes Biden in Iowa for the first time: poll Polls pose the wrong question. Booker help sounds alarm about funding for the PLUS campaign (D), have proposals that would expand Medicare for more Americans, while keeping private options open to those who want it.

Former Vice President Joe BidenJoe Biden: Ukrainian official denies that President Trump is under pressure President Trump attacks the New York Times and the Washington Post: "They are completely crazy !!!" Warren overtakes Biden in Iowa for the first time: poll MORE does not support a health insurance plan for all and instead has proposed expanding the Affordable Care Act, which he helped create during his tenure in the Obama administration.

The new survey polled 900 registered voters, 506 of whom said they would vote in a caucus or primary Democrat. The survey was conducted between September 13 and 16. It has a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points for the entire sample and 4.4 percentage points for interrogations involving only Democratic voters.