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AP-GfK Poll: Support shaky for Sanders ‘Medicare for all’

FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2016 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. speaks in Columbia, S.C. At first blush, many Americans like the idea of “Medicare for all,” the government-run health system that’s a rallying cry for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. But mention some of the trade-offs, from higher taxes to giving up employer coverage, and supports starts to shrivel. That’s the key insight from an AP-GfK poll released Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2016 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. speaks in Columbia, S.C. At first blush, many Americans like the idea of “Medicare for all,” the government-run health system that’s a rallying cry for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. But mention some of the trade-offs, from higher taxes to giving up employer coverage, and supports starts to shrivel. That’s the key insight from an AP-GfK poll released Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

By Associated Press February 25, 2016 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – A new poll finds that many Americans like the idea of “Medicare for all,” the government-run health system espoused by Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

But mention the trade-offs – from higher taxes to giving up employer coverage – and support starts to shrivel.

That’s the key insight from an AP-GfK poll released Thursday.

A slim plurality of 39 percent supports replacing the private health insurance system with a Sanders-like government-run, taxpayer-funded plan that would cover medical, dental, vision and long-term care.

But asked whether they would continue to support Sanders’ plan if their own taxes went up, about 3 in 10 of the initial supporters would keep backing it. Four out of 10 flip to opposition.