Polling Health Care Results Tell a Different Story

Out to the Chicago Tribune:

SurveyUSA poll of 1,200 adults released on Thursday: In any health care proposal, how important do you feel it is to give people a choice of both a public plan administered by the federal government and a private plan for their health insurance?

58% Extremely important19% Quite important7% Not that important15% Not at all important
(Extremely + Quite = 77%)

Do you have a health plan, that is, are you covered by a private health insurance plan or by a government program such as Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare?

85% Yes13% No

Public Policy Polling, August 14-17 909 adults
Do you think the government should stay out of Medicare?
39% -- Yes (45% of those older than 65; 59% of self identified conservatives and 62% of McCain voters and self-identified Republicans) 46% -- No 15% -- Not Sure

Rasmussen Reports August 17-18, 2009

Just 34% of voters nationwide support the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats if the so-called “public option” is removed. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 57% oppose the plan if it doesn't include a government-run health insurance plan to compete with private insurers...

...suppose that the public option is dropped from the plan. Would you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the Congressional health care reform bill without a public option? 9% Strongly support 25% Somewhat support 30% Somewhat oppose 27% Strongly oppose 9% Not sure

Marist College Poll. Aug. 3-6, 2009
Do you think the current health care system in this country needs major changes, minor changes, or no changes at all?
Major Changes 65%Minor Changes 29%No Changes 6%

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. July 31-Aug. 3, 2009
Do you think it is or is not necessary to make major structural changes in the nation's health care system in order to make sure that all Americans have health insurance?
Necessary -- 77% Not necessary -- 21% Unsure -- 1%

Time Poll conducted by Abt SRBI. July 27-28, 2009
How would you rate the health care system in the United States?
Excellent --11 %Good -- 28%Fair -- 26%Poor -- 22%

Would you favor or oppose a health care bill that provides for coverage for for almost all Americans, even if the government needs to subsidize health care for those who can’t afford it?
Favor 63%Oppose 31%Unsure 6%

Would you favor or oppose a health care bill that creates a national single-payer plan similar to Medicare for all, in which the government would provide health care insurance to all Americans?
Favor 49%Oppose 46%Unsure 5%

Would you favor or oppose a health care bill that creates a government-sponsored public health insurance option to compete with private health insurance plans?
Favor 56%Oppose 36%Unsure 8%