Most Ohioans Favor Expanding Medicare

[December 2, 2019]

The Ohio Health Issues Poll is conducted every year to learn more about the health opinions, behaviors and status of Ohio adults. The idea of expanding Medicare to allow people younger than 65 to buy insurance through this program has emerged in the national health policy conversation. OHIP asked Ohio adults whether they favored or opposed such a plan.

“Do you favor or oppose giving some people under the age of 65 the option to buy insurance through the Medicare program?” Seven in 10 Ohio adults (71%) either strongly or somewhat favored or leaned toward favoring this idea. About 2 in 10 (17%) opposed such a plan. About 1 in 10 (12%) were not sure.

OHIP followed up the question by asking “What is the most important reason that you (favor/oppose) giving some people under the age of 65 the option to buy insurance through the Medicare program?” Respondents could provide any answer.Those who favored the plan most commonly identified specific groups that they thought should have access, such as people who are close to age 65, who have low income or who have a serious illness (38%). About 15% said they favored the plan because of the high cost of health care and health insurance. Another 14% said health care was a right. Seven percent said the current health insurance system is so problematic that it is important to identify other options.

For more information see the Ohio Health Issues Poll summary.