Americans like government health care, but are not eager to pay for it
Americans overwhelmingly like the idea of a government-run health program — but balk at the idea of paying more than $500 a year for it, a new Quinnipiac University poll found.
The survey of more than 3,000 voters nationwide from June 23 to 29 said that 69 percent thought people should have the "public option" Democrats are seriously considering as they write health care legislation.
But only 49 percent said they would pay more for a health care overhaul — 45 percent said they would not — and 72 percent did not want to pay more than $500 annually. And by a 63 to 30 percent margin, people opposed taxing employer-paid health benefits.
Other findings: Of the 88 percent of insured Americans, 49 percent are very satisfied with their coverage and 36 percent are somewhat satisfied.
"American voters want their fellow countrymen to have the option of a public plan, but don't want a public plan for themselves because they are satisfied personally with their health care," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "That presents a challenge to those who want Americans to pay more to reform the system."
Read the poll here.
what if people were told the US spends about twice as much on health care as Europeans do?
would they then choose to reform the system?
Posted by: carl nelson | July 01, 2009 at 09:06 PM
This is a letter I sent to the White House today ... It's worth a read. Comments sent to the White House on July 1st for help and assistance:
PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO HELP THE GEORGIA CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS UNDERSTAND OUR HEALTH INSURANCE CRISIS ...
I just spoke to the Johnnie Isakson and Saxby Chambliss offices... They informed me that they believe in “affordable” coverage for all Americans … When I told them that my small business coverage from Blue Cross/Blue Shield just increased another 25% for the 4th straight year to $600/month or $7200 per year for individual coverage and $24,000.00/year for family coverage, they just keep saying they believe in “affordable coverage” Please help me understand how they can could possible think $7200 to $24000 per year is AFFORDABLE, when my business in this economy is barely hanging on. Are they so rich that they believe this is affordable? What the hell is that matter with these people. I gave strong suggestions that they re-think their policy, because I soon am going to add 4 employees to the uninsured ranks and this will really take a toll on my staff.
Also, do they expect Blue Cross and Blue Shield or any other big insurance company to say ... OK, I’ll just lower the rates … are these Congressional leaders smoking something?????? These senators and their staff members have wonderful health insurance coverage PAID FOR BY THE PEOPLE, I might add.
Won’t it be great if they paid for their own health insurance instead of living in their “ ivy tower” which we again is PAID FOR by the people … why can’t we just tell them to paid $600/month to $2000/month for their own insurance …. Then they might be able to understanding this problem differently when they talk to their constituents.
PS: This comment is directed at Meredith in Saxby Chambliss office … who STRONGLY defended that our increased coverage would be considered “affordable” …please, please take away her insurance and let her pay $600.00/month for her insurance, after all the people are paying her salary.
Posted by: patricia terry | July 01, 2009 at 05:15 PM