Young adults willing to pay more tax to ensure Medicare’s future

AUSTIN, TX – May 22, 2024 – Millennials and Gen Xers may not be ready for Medicare yet, but they believe they’re entitled to health care coverage in retirement and are willing to accept higher payroll taxes to preserve the program, according to new research published today by eHealth.

In a survey of more than 1,000 Millennials and Generation Xers born between 1965 and 1996, eHealth found:

• More than nine in 10 (94%) say they are entitled to healthcare coverage in retirement.
• More than eight in ten (84%) are willing to pay higher payroll taxes to ensure Medicare’s sustainability.
• Nearly two thirds (65%) of those who know what Medicare is worry that it won’t be there for them.

“Concern about Medicare’s future is no longer unique to current beneficiaries and older Americans. Our report shows that younger Americans are worried about their access to quality, affordable healthcare as they age,” said eHealth CEO Fran Soistman. “In fact, most Millennials and Gen Xers say they are willing to pay more now if it means preserving this critical benefit for the future, and Medicare is one of their top-three concerns in the upcoming election.”

Additional findings from the report:

• 78% of Millennials and Gen Xers say that Medicare is among their top-three voting issues.
• 78% say that Baby Boomers and earlier generations were fiscally irresponsible and are leaving them to pay the bill.
• Despite their concerns, three quarters rate the overall US healthcare system as “good” or “excellent.”

Read the full report.

eHealth’s original research is based on a general population survey of more than 1,000 Americans age 28 through 59. The survey was conducted through a third-party survey tool in May of 2024. Additional methodology information can be found in the report.