Pramila Jayapal Argues Medicare For All Is Both Good Policy And Good Politics

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)  is moving to put Medicare for All back at the center of the Democratic health care conversation, arguing that the policy carries broader political appeal than many in her party assume.

Jayapal, the former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, plans to brief House Democrats next month using new polling data to make the case that Medicare for All could resonate even in competitive districts Democrats need to reclaim the House, according to Politico.

The survey, financed by her leadership PAC and first reported by Politico, suggests support for a government run health care system extends beyond the Democratic base.

The findings show that about 20 percent of Republican voters favor a government provided health care model, while independents back the idea by a clear majority.

Democratic support remains overwhelming, with nine in ten Democrats expressing approval, Politico reported.

The data also points to widespread frustration with health care costs, as nearly two thirds of respondents said the federal government is not doing enough to make care affordable. Fewer than one in five felt the government is doing too much.

Jayapal’s renewed push comes at a moment when Democrats have largely maintained a united front on health care, focusing their attacks on Republicans over the future of Obamacare subsidies that are set to expire. Reintroducing Medicare for All into the debate risks reviving longstanding tensions between progressives and moderates, a fight party leaders have often tried to avoid, Politico noted.

Medicare for All, once a dominant issue in Democratic primaries, faded from prominence after President Joe Biden, who cited its high cost, secured the nomination and later the presidency.

Jayapal argues the political landscape has shifted. While Medicare for All has consistently polled well among Democrats over the past five years, she says rising premiums and out of pocket costs are making the idea more appealing to independents and even some Republicans.

The poll was conducted by GQR among 1,000 likely 2026 voters between November 5 and November 13, with additional sampling in battleground House districts. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.