Health careis becoming a defining issue of the Democratic primary forpresident, with a number of candidates embracing Medicare for All.(Photo: Shutterstock)

Americans are increasingly receptive to talk of Medicare for All or single-payerhealth care. But the great majority do not want to say goodbye toprivate health plans.

A new survey of 1,001 registered voters byHill-HarrisX finds 71 percent believe the government shouldguarantee universal coverage, while 15 percent say thegovernment should be removed from health care entirely and 14percent say they support the status quo.

Related: Do Medicare for All supporters really know whatthey're getting?

However, the same poll finds that only 13 percent say theysupport a Medicare for All plan that would entirely scrap privatehealth insurance.

Thirty-two percent say they support government-provided healthcare but believe that people should be able to purchase privatesupplemental insurance, similar to what many Medicare beneficiaries currently do.

Finally, 26 percent appear to endorse a “public option”scenario, in which people can choose whether to enroll in agovernment health plan or buy private insurance.

Health care is becoming a defining issue of the Democraticprimary for president, with a number of candidates embracing the“Medicare for All” proposal that Bernie Sanders made famous andothers shying away from such a radical overhaul of the system,saying that it is not practical.

The poll displays the challenge that single-payer advocatesface. While most Americans view health care as a right and arereceptive to government taking a more active role in providingaccess, they are wary of endorsing a completely socialisticapproach.

Democratic candidates are clearly aware of the nuanced politicallandscape. Kamala Harris backed off a statement where she suggestedshe supported getting rid of private insurance, later saying thatwhile she ultimately supported Medicare for All, in the short termshe would support incremental improvements to the system, includingprivate plans.

Cory Booker, who is a co-sponsor of the Medicare for All bill,also said he did not support scrapping private plans, pointing outthat they exist in many other western countries alongsidegovernment health care.

Read more: 

• 4 reasons employer-sponsored health insurance won'tgo away
• Health care industry group launches attack onMedicare for All
• Forget Medicare for All; more states eye Medicaidbuy-in