Public Opinion

The public has made it clear to the government: they do not want cuts to be made to Medicare. 79% of Americans support health care reform. Many Americans feel so strongly that they say they would vote against candidates who favor such reductions. Many experts see Medicare as a major contributor to the federal budget deficit today, but only about one-third (31%) of the public agrees. The public sees the bigger problem for people on Medicare as not getting the health care they need (61%).

In a poll performed by The Washington Post in 2011, 78% of adults asked opposed cuts to Medicare. 68% strongly opposed cuts to Medicare.

In another poll performed for the Center of American Progress in 2012, 51% of adults polled believed that funding Social Security and Medicare was more important that reducing the deficit. 

With more than 50 million Americans enrolled in medicare, the public opinion is simple. The American public does not want cuts to Medicare.