2026 polling data: South Carolinians on healthcare

A new poll by Starboard Communications during the spring revealed that registered voters across South Carolina are in favor of Medicaid Expansion. The poll included 600 registered voters – 41.8% Republican, 28.9% Independent, 24.4% Democrat, 4.9% N/A – who were surveyed this spring about their opinions around healthcare. Over two-thirds of voters indicated that medical costs were too high and a cost burden to their family, and opposed actions that would cut federal funding to hospitals. Over two-thirds of people responded that they were in support of Medicaid Expansion in South Carolina today.

See the Full Data from Starboard Communications

Our Statement

The benefits of Medicaid expansion are proven. It would support working South Carolinians by providing over 200,000 with immediate access to accessible, affordable healthcare. With changes to ACA Healthcare Marketplace causing thousands to lose insurance and the lack of affordable, accessible healthcare for many South Carolinians today, Medicaid Expansion provides an instant solution. While cost is often indicated as a concern, the experience of other states shows the tax revenue from economic growth and savings in state healthcare programs largely offsets the state’s cost to expand. More access to coverage means a healthy workforce and a healthy economy.

“Failing to protect coverage leads to avoidable emergency room visits and hospitalizations and destabilizes our local healthcare infrastructure,” says Deborah Greenhouse MD, FAAP. Greenhouse is a pediatrician in Columbia, South Carolina. This poll confirms that the public’s priorities align with the evidence—expanding Medicaid and protecting high coverage rates is essential for our families and our state’s economy.”

“This poll data shows that the majority of South Carolina voters are concerned about healthcare, prioritize it as a voting issue, and are in favor of increasing access today,” Juliana Paylok, Cover SC’s Executive Director. “Medicaid expansion has proven time and time again that it would increase health care coverage and improve health outcomes for South Carolinians, as it has in 40 other states that have expanded, and the polling data shows that they are ready for it.”

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