Excerpted from WSJ, Health Reform and the Polls, Aug. 6, 2009
According to Rasmussen …
At this point voters are pretty evenly divided on ObamaCare … 47% at least somewhat favor the plan while 49% are somewhat opposed … 35% of independents are in favor of the Democrats’ health-care reform initiative, and 60% are opposed.
Obama’s biggest obstacle is the 68% of voters who rate their health coverage as good or excellent.
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74% of voters rate the quality of care they now receive as good or excellent.
68% of American voters have health-insurance coverage they rate good or excellent.
48% of voters rate the U.S. health-care system as good or excellent.
A majority voters are skeptical about the government’s ability to do anything well.
53% believe ObamaCare will increase healthcare costs.
50% fear that if Congress passes health-care reform, it will lead to a decline in the quality of that care.
By a 2-1 margin, voters believe that no matter how bad things are Congress can always make matters worse.
78% believe passage of the current congressional health-care proposals is likely to mean higher taxes for the middle class.
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63% of voters agree “We must make it a priority to give every single American quality affordable health care.”
Only 28% are currently willing to pay higher taxes to achieve that goal.
31% of voters believe young and healthy adults who choose not to buy health insurance should be forced to do so.
Full article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204313604574330442429438938.html
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The Homa Files 
August 12, 2009 at 10:28 am |
While these are interesting statistics, another relevant statistic is that probably 99% of Americans have no idea whatsoever how the health care system works, why it needs some structural changes (whether or not people are satisfied with their care) and how the proposed changes might affect the system or the care it offers them.
Unfortunately, the public discourse today is probably confusing things further, with rancor and untruths coming from both sides. Even more unfortunately, conservatives seem to be fighting change period, rather than promoting some market-based solutions that would be helpful. We need more than the “Party of No” to create a sensible path forward.
August 12, 2009 at 11:11 pm |
Actually, as far as I know, conservatives are not “fighting change period”. What evidence do you have to support this assertion?
Market based solutions are being pushed by the Republicans (they are being lobbied by health insurance companies who want something similar to what obtains for auto-insurance with government subsidies for people who cannot pay into the system). The question is whether you agree with them and why.
August 13, 2009 at 10:53 pm |
It’s easier for people to listen to folks like Michael Savage for thought leadership on ObamaCare.