Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders claimed another victory in the Nevada caucus on Saturday night. And two separate exit polls show his signature Medicare for All plan has proved popular with Democratic primary voters in the first three nominating states.
The Vermont senator has campaigned on creating a Medicare for All healthcare system that's managed by the government and insures every American whether they want it or not. The plan would abolish private insurance in the process, and do away with deductibles, premiums, and out-of-pocket spending.
An NBC News entrance poll showed that Sanders' proposal to enact a government-run healthcare system that abolishes private insurance gained strong majority support in Nevada among Democrats. Around 62% supported it while 35% were opposed.
—Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) February 22, 2020
—Jeffrey S. Stein (@JStein_WaPo) February 22, 2020
Medicare for All last year became an ideological wedge between progressives and moderate candidates competing to face off against President Trump in the general election.
Sens. Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Kirsten Gillibrand endorsed the policy proposal at the outset of their Democratic primary campaigns, but they backed off the idea after polls showed voters were wary of losing their private insurance.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren also supported it but later said she'd pursue an optional government health insurance plan first.
Critics like former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden attacked Sanders, arguing he's pushing to adopt an unfeasible plan through Congress — and notably refusing to say how much it would cost. The plan has also been assailed by the health insurance industry.
