Narrower majority of the public says government has responsibility for providing health coverage for all Americans Is it the federal government's responsibility to make sure all Americans have health care coverage? (%)
In 2014, the public was divided over the role of the government in the health care system – 47% said the government was responsible for making sure all Americans have health care coverage, while 50% said it was not. The public subsequently grew more supportive of the government ensuring that all Americans had health care coverage. Since last fall, however, there has been a 7 percentage point drop (from 60% to 53%) in the share of Americans who say this.
The share of Republicans and Republican leaners holding the view that ensuring health care coverage is the government’s responsibility has decreased by 9 points since September 2018, from 29% to 20%. Democratic views have not changed significantly over the past year – in September 2018, 85% said making sure all Americans have health care coverage was the federal government’s responsibility; 81% say this today.
Narrower majority of the public says government has responsibility for providing  | health coverage for all Americans  | Is it the federal government's responsibility to make sure all Americans have health care coverage? (%)  | Total  | Among Rep/Lean Rep  | Among Dem/Lean Dem  | Yes, government responsibility  | 47  | 28  | No, not government responsibility  | 20  | 18  | .14  | '15  | 16  | '17  | '18  | '19  | .14  | '15  | '16  | '17  | '18  | '19  | '14  | '15 '16  | '17  | '18  | '19  | Note: Don't know responses not shown.  | Source: Survey of U.S adults conducted July 10-15, 2019  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 