Thursday, August 20, 2009

Majority supports health reform without a public option, too

A poll showing 77 percent of Americans want health reform with a public option made big news on lefty blogs today.
 

More than three out of every four Americans feel it is important to have a "choice" between a government-run health care insurance option and private coverage, according to a public opinion poll released on Thursday.

A new study by SurveyUSA puts support for a public option at a robust 77 percent, one percentage point higher than where it stood in June.

But the same survey indicates a narrow majority of Americans would support a health reform plan that bars pre-existing condition exclusions and includes employer mandates and government subsidies for individuals.
 

Q: Now I am going to tell you more about the health care plan that President Obama supports and please tell me whether you would favor or oppose it. The plan requires that health insurance companies cover people with pre-existing medical conditions. It also requires all but the smallest employers to provide health coverage for their employees, or pay a percentage of their payroll to help fund coverage for the uninsured. Families and individuals with lower- and middle-incomes would receive tax credits to help them afford insurance coverage. Some of the funding for this plan would come from raising taxes on wealthier Americans. Do you favor or oppose this plan?

 

A: Favor 51% Oppose 43%

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