A recent American Barometer poll conducted by Hill.TV and HarrisX polling company reported that 86 percent of Democrats and 68 percent of independents supported “providing Medicare to every American.” Surprisingly, the poll also noted that 52 percent of Republicans said they were in support of Medicare for every American.

President Donald Trump’s October column in USA Today suggests, I believe, that the popularity of “Medicare for all” among Republican voters is quite real and a threat to the Republican Party’s agenda. In that column, Trump, seemingly unrestrained by facts, strongly criticized “Medicare for all” and placed himself squarely in the camp favoring the private insurance and pharmaceutical industries. In so doing, he joined the company of some in the Democratic Party.

For 90 percent of the American people, a single-payer, “Medicare for all” health care system would be a huge blessing. For the richest 10 percent of us who can afford our present system should we become ill, “Medicare for all” is both morally right and a safety net should economic fortunes change.

The Republican Party has been a major player in the massive upward redistribution of wealth to the richest segments of our society. “Medicare for all” is a fiscally responsible way to undo some of the harm created by economic inequality. If the GOP is serious about fairness and efficiency, then “Medicare for all” is a health care system Republicans should embrace.

Polls can be misleading, but Trump and the Republican Party are taking this one very seriously.

Dr. William R. Davidson Jr.

Jonestown